Employment Law Compliance
Help for California Employers

Since 1991, California Employer Advisor has been helping California employers with their employment-related compliance challenges. We understand as well as you do that doing business in California simply isn't like doing business anywhere else.

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Exclusive Members-Only Webinar Series

Each month, we offer a special webinar exclusively for our CEA Online subscribers. CEA Online subscribers also get access to our full library of past subscribers-only webinars.

Our featured webinar is:

Employee Expense Reimbursements in California:

Your Compliance Obligations Explained
Learn More

Thursday, June 14, 2012
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon (Pacific)

Members can register here.

Not a member yet? Click here.

Webinars on Demand

Paid Time Off: How to Draft and Administer an Effective PTO Policy that Complies with Both California and Federal Law
Originally presented on May 8, 2012
Brand New!
Moving to a paid time off (PTO) bank versus a traditional sick leave bank may be part of the solution. But poorly designed or improperly administered PTO plans present a host of potential legal issues, especially when it comes to complying with California's pro-employee wage/hour rules, family leave laws, and more. . . . more

Meal & Rest Breaks in California: Long-Awaited Brinker Decision Is Finally Here; What It Means for You
Originally presented on April 23, 2012
Brand New!
In California, meal and rest period requirements have played a huge role in the wage and hour litigation scene for over six years now. In fact, the issue has grown into the "lawsuit du jour" for both individual lawsuits and class actions.
But even well-intentioned employers have been stymied by the vague nature of the rules. What does it mean to "provide" a meal or rest period? How far should you go to ensure that employees take these mandated breaks? What should you do to ensure you're in compliance, now that the California Supreme Court has released its long-awaited decision in Brinker Restaurant Group v. Superior Court of San Diego?
. . . more

HR Notices & Disclosures: The A-Z List of What You Must Post--From the New NLRB Notice to FMLA/CFRA, ADA/FEHA, HIPAA, and Everything in Between
Originally presented on March 23, 2012
It's not exactly a glamorous part of HR, but it is a downright necessity. We're talking about keeping up on your HR notice and disclosure obligations. These are the notices that must be posted in a conspicuous place for all employees to see, from notices under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the new National Labor Relations Board rule, and so on. Learn everything you need to about HR notices and disclosures in California for 2012 during our webinar on demand. Our presenter will shed light on what to post, and where, and the stiff penalties you could face if you don't comply. . . . more

Workplace Violence: Prepare an Effective Violence-Prevention Plan Using the Plan/Prevent/Protect Model
Originally presented on February 28, 2012
Workplace violence continues to be a problem in the American workplace and, sadly, California typically has been one of the states with the highest rates of workplace homicides. Cal/OSHA requires you to provide your employees with a safe and healthful workplace. Are you doing everything that's required of you? . . . more

Medical Marijuana in California How Much Leeway Must You Give Employees?
Originally presented on January 10, 2012
Employees in California may claim that they have the legal right to use marijuana if they've got a medical marijuana card to back up their claim. This creates a huge issue for California employers, because applicants or employees may be more inclined to use the drug, or reveal their medical conditions. What do California and federal law say about marijuana use? Must an employer offer accommodations under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the state Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) in those cases? . . . more

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Sample Policy: Recruitment of New Employees
Updated February 2012
XYZ, Inc., aggressively recruits to attract top-caliber individuals to all levels of the organization. Vacant or new positions may be filled by either transfer or promotion of existing employees, or by new employees who are recruited or apply. Recruitment may be conducted through advertising . . . more

Sample Policy: State Unemployment Insurance
Updated February 2012
You may be protected against total loss of wages if you become unemployed under certain conditions as outlined by the California Unemployment Insurance Code. Eligibility requirements under this code . . . more

Sample Policy: State Disability Insurance
Updated February 2012
Nonoccupational disability insurance is provided by state law for every California employee who is covered by the Unemployment Insurance Code and who meets the eligibility requirements. . . . more

Sample Policy: Workers' Compensation
Updated February 2012
XYZ Inc. furnishes workers' compensation insurance coverage at its expense. Workers' comp insurance is intended to provide medical care and pay for lost time resulting from injuries on the job and those illnesses . . . more

Sample Policy: Intellectual Property Assignments: Inventions, Patents, and Copyrights
Updated February 2012
All inventions, patents, and copyrightable works conceived, developed, or created by any XYZ Inc. employee during the term of his or her employment are created as works for hire and will remain the sole property of the company. XYZ will be free to use any such discoveries, . . . more

California Employer Advisor

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Online Exclusive: Checklist of Questions to Ask in a Harassment Investigation
CEA Online Exclusive June 2012
Und . . . more

EEOC says Title VII protects transgendered employees
June 2012
The . . . more

DLSE posts revised Wage Theft Protection Act notice form
June 2012
Sin . . . more

Special Report included with this issue: Social Media and HR: How to Manage Your Risks
June 2012
Do you use social media? Maybe not—but your employees almost certainly do, both off-duty and at work. Even if they post only seemingly innocuous "status updates" about their day, or take a more passive-observer approach to social media, your employees' activities open you up to a wide range of potentially costly legal and reputational risks. Our new Special Report will bring you up to speed on the risks out there and provide practical advice on how to reduce your exposure. . . . more

Wage and Hour: California Supreme Court Clarifies Employers' Obligations Regarding Meal and Rest Breaks
June 2012
The California Supreme Court has finally issued its much-anticipated ruling in the Brinker case on the extent of employers' responsibilities when it comes to mandatory meal and rest breaks--and, for the most part, it turned out to be worth the wait. . . . more

Workers' Compensation: Stress-Related Migraines Aren't Compensable; When Are Psychiatric Injuries Covered?
June 2012
Workers' compensation claims can stress out employers--especially if they're for psychiatric injuries. Such claims are ripe for fraud and abuse because they can lack obvious physical signs and symptoms. . . . more

Discrimination: Can High School Diploma Requirements Violate the ADA? The EEOC Clarifies Its Position
June 2012
Back in November 2011, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) caused a dustup when it issued an informal discussion letter about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to high school diploma requirements for jobs. . . . more

Arbitration: Court Strikes Down Arbitration Agreement; Where the Employer Went Wrong
June 2012
The California Court of Appeals has issued another in a series of rulings finding mandatory employee arbitration agreements invalid. Read on to learn how yet another employer got tripped up by some seemingly simple requirements for valid arbitration agreements. . . . more

Harassment: Tensions Between Pakistani and Indian Co-Workers Lead to Claims of National Origin, Religious Harassment
June 2012
Many California employers find themselves employing workers from foreign countries these days. If you're one of them, you may think your primary concern is making sure the workers are authorized to work in the United States. . . . more

Featured Resource: Is That Injury Covered by Workers' Comp?
June 2012
Not every injury a worker sustains on the job is covered by workers' compensation. The guidelines below can help you determine whether injuries in your workplace are compensable. . . . more

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BRINKER DECISION UPDATE: The California Supreme Court has released its long-awaited decision in the Brinker case. Be sure to join us for our exclusive webinar on May 23rd to get all the details on what you need to know—and do—in response to this new guidance.

Instant access with membership

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California Employee Handbook Template—HR Management & Compliance Report Updated for 2012!
How To Comply with California Wage and Hour Law—HR Management & Compliance Report Updated for 2012!
The Complete Guide to HR Recordkeeping in California—HR Management & Compliance Report
How To Comply with California and Federal Leave Laws—HR Management & Compliance Report Updated for 2012!

2012 Guide to Employment Law for California Employers

Updated for 2012!

California Required Notices Package

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Employment Law Compliance Help for California Employers

Exclusive Members-Only Webinar Series

*Instant access with membership*

Employment Law Compliance
Help for California Employers

Instant access with membership