It may not be a topic on the minds of many business owners, human resource managers, or in-house counsel, but developing an effective relationship and engaging employment law counsel is essential in saving the company money and avoiding litigation. This Friday’s Five is a video in which I discuss five ways companies should be engaging
Can employers obtain e-signatures on Forms I-9 and store them electronically?
With more employers moving to digital personnel files, there is some concern about whether certain documents can be stored electronically or if the original document is necessary. Generally, with the passage of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) by most states, e-signatures are given
Five essential aspects to understand about defamation claims
Employers usually face defamation claims in connection with wrongful termination allegations. Defamation claims can arise in two
forms: libel (written) and slander (spoken). Defamation can result from a variety of different scenarios, such as: statements made to others during a workplace investigation, explaining to colleagues the reasons why an employee was terminated, the employee’s claim
Friday’s Five: Organ donation, accommodation law effective 2016, and tips employers need to know now!
In July 2015, Governor Brown signed legislation designed to overturn the decision in Rope v. Auto-Chlor 
System of Washington Inc. The case involved an employee who was asking his employer for an accommodation to take a future leave of absence in order to donate a kidney to his sister. As discussed below, the case raises
Five YouTube channels every employer/entrepreneur should follow
In this Friday’s Five I wanted to share some resources that have added a lot to my understanding of business, startups, and venture capital. Two points upfront:
- The Internet (especially YouTube) has become a huge equalizer for startups and small businesses. Ten years ago, the information that is shared on the channels listed below was
Uber class action certified, five takeaways for California employers
This week, a federal court in northern California certified portions of a class action 
brought by Uber drivers who worked in California since 2009 (click here for the decision [PDF]). Over 160,000 drivers have worked for Uber in California during this time period, and while the case is making a lot of news,
What are the biggest threats facing restaurateurs in 2015 and beyond?
I was able to catch up with California Restaurant Association’s CEO, Jot Condie at the 2015 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo. We discuss the threats facing restaurateurs and the steps the CRA is taking to represent its members.
Friday’s Five: Five recent employment law developments employers should heed
This Friday’s Five covers five employment law developments that occurred in August 2015 that will have an impact for employers in California.
1) NLRB ruling widens which companies may be considered “joint employers”
In a 3-2 decision, the NLRB ruled that Browning-Ferris Industries of California, Inc. was a joint employer with a staffing agency, Leadpoint
Friday’s Five: Credit checks for applicants or employees
This Friday’s Five discusses five issues California employers should remember about whether they may require credit checks from applicants or employees. And if employers can obtain the information, what additional considerations they should take into account when using this information for employment decisions and privacy concerns.
1. Credit checks are different than background checks.
Since
Friday’s Five: Issues That Should Be On Every Employer’s Radar
Speaking with some clients, I sense their overwhelming confusion in setting up employment policies in California. While it can be a daunting task, I remind them that the key is to approach it in a systematic process, and once the system is in place, compliance can be very easy. While there are many issues employers