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California Uber drivers win right to file class-action suit

09/09/2015
A federal judge has ruled that a group of Uber drivers in California can proceed with their class-action lawsuit against the ride-hailing service. The Sept. 1 decision to certify Uber drivers as a class clears the way for a massive lawsuit that could encompass as many as 160,000 plaintiffs.

Can I allow interns to work for free?

09/09/2015
Q. A few local college students have expressed interest in interning at my dental office. I could really use their help filing papers, putting things on the computer and dealing with the patients. Can I utilize unpaid interns without breaking the law?

How should I accommodate breastfeeding at work?

09/09/2015
Q. An employees is about to return from maternity leave and wants to pump breast milk at work. She is asking for a room specifically designated for pumping, as she feels uncomfortable doing so in the bathroom or the office, and for several breaks during the day. Do I have to provide this accommodation?

HR orgs pan DOL’s proposed overtime rule

09/09/2015
Fewer opportunities to work overtime, less workplace flexibility for employers and employees alike: That’s the likely result of the Department of Labor’s proposed rule to more than double the salary threshold that makes white-collar managers eligible for overtime pay, according to comments submitted to the DOL by the Society for Human Resource Management and WorldatWork, two prominent HR organizations.

Prepare for Department of Labor’s proposed new overtime rule

09/01/2015
On July 6, the U.S. Department of Labor published a long-anticipated proposed rule that would make overtime pay available to nearly 5 million workers who are currently exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime requirement. The proposed rule would raise the minimum salary level for overtime exemption and raise the salary threshold for certain highly compensated employees.

What are California’s unique overtime rules?

08/26/2015
Three questions about overtime pay in California.

Do we have to pay our interns this summer?

08/26/2015
Q. Our company is considering hiring student interns this summer. Are we required to pay them under California law?

Independent contractor status in California: Court of Appeal wades into classification debate

08/26/2015
The Court of Appeal of California has ruled in a case testing the limits of calling workers independent contractors. Employers should review their independent contractor arrangements to make sure they meet California requirements.

2, 4, 6, 8! Who does California appreciate? Cheerleaders!

08/26/2015
It’s official—professional cheerleaders are now recognized as employees under California law. In July, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill requiring California professional sports teams to pay their cheerleaders at least the minimum wage.

Doing fill-in tasks doesn’t make bosses nonexempt

08/26/2015
A manager who has to fill in for subordinates when they are absent or because a position is vacant doesn’t necessarily lose exempt status.