Under California law, an aggrieved person can bring a claim for defamation if the person is the subject of a false and unprivileged statement that is injurious to his/her reputation. Defamation can take the form of libel or slander. (Ca. Civ. Code Sec. 44.) Specifically “libel” is defined as a false and unprivileged publication by… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Harassment
Subscribe to Harassment RSS FeedNew California Regulations on National Origin Going Into Effect
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Retaliation and Wrongful TerminationAs any reader of our blog knows, California employers are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of national origin (among other classifications). The Fair Employment and Housing Commission (“FEHC”) recently issued new regulations, which go into effect on July 1, 2018, expanding the definition of “national origin” to include an individual’s or ancestors’ actual or… Continue Reading
Have You Ever Disagreed With An Employee About How They Should Do Their Work?
Posted in Discrimination, FMLA and Other Leaves of Absence, Harassment, Labor Law, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Wage & HourBeware. Routine criticisms of job performance when directed to employees engaged in a caring profession, may subject you to retaliation and whistleblower claims. So you hire an employee, call her a brick layer. She is a horrible brick layer. You get in constant arguments with her concerning the quality of her brick laying. You say… Continue Reading
Protecting Your Religious Entity Exemption Under The FEHA While Complying With Other Laws
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Wage & HourWe all understand the common meaning of the word “employer.” In California, “employers” need to keep track of the various rules and regulations, all of which have their own definitions of the word. Most frequently, the number of employees dictates whether a given statute or ordinance applies to the employer. In addition, California’s Fair Employment… Continue Reading
Attorney Beth West Testifies Before the California Legislature
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Wage & HourWeintraub Tobin Shareholder, Beth West, shared her expertise and testified before the California Legislature’s Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response on February 15, 2018. The hearing focused on the legal issues surrounding sexual harassment and Ms. West’s testimony identified challenges employers face in having effective anti-harassment programs in place, as well as some legal… Continue Reading
Now Available! Weintraub Tobin’s 2018 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training Schedule
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Employment Contracts and Agreements, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Reductions in Force, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Trade Secrets and Competition, Uncategorized, Wage & HourWeintraub Tobin’s 2018 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training schedule is now available. Click here for a copy of the schedule. If you have any questions on any of our seminars or would like to inquire on private, custom-tailored training, please contact: Ramona Carrillo (916) 558-6046 rcarrillo@weintraub.com
New Transgender Rights Poster Required for California Workplaces
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Wage & HourOn October 15, 2017, California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 396 into law, requiring new training and posters for California employers. Currently, California law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide at least 2 hours of sexual harassment training to supervisors every two years. This new bill requires those employers to also include… Continue Reading
SAVE THE DATE – Mandatory AB 1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Wage & HourWeintraub Tobin will be holding their final session of AB 1825 training for the year on December 14, 2017. If you are an employer with 50 or more employees, and have supervisors who have not been trained, or are in need of a refresher course, then don’t miss out. This training will comply with all… Continue Reading
DON’T FORGET…….California’s Transgender Identity and Expression Regulations Go Into Effect July 1, 2017
Posted in Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Wage & HourThe new regulations that expand existing protections under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for transgender individuals and others go into effect July 1, 2017. As California employers know, FEHA prohibits harassment and discrimination against individuals on the basis of many protected classes, including gender, gender identity, and gender expression. Below is a brief… Continue Reading
Hugs and Kisses May Not Spur Affection in the Workplace
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and RegulationsIn a decision just two weeks after Valentine’s Day, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (“Ninth Circuit”) has ruled that hugs and kisses may decrease, rather than increase, feelings of affection in the workplace. Specifically, the Ninth Circuit overturned a lower court decision dismissing a lawsuit filed by a county correctional officer who alleged… Continue Reading
EEOC Harassment Guidance Receives Much-Needed Update
Posted in Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Harassment, New Legislation and RegulationsThe Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently reported that between fiscal years 2012 and 2015, private sector charges of harassment increased to account for 30% of all charges of discrimination received by the EEOC. These numbers indicate that harassment liability and prevention continue to be important. The EEOC’s most recent guidance on harassment focused primarily… Continue Reading
Top Reasons to Mediate Employment Disputes
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Employment Contracts and Agreements, FMLA and Other Leaves of Absence, Harassment, Reductions in Force, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Trade Secrets and Competition, Wage & HourAs an employment attorney and mediator, I believe mediation is a good alternative to protracted employment litigation. Below are the top reasons why. 1. Mediation is a Voluntary Process. Unlike litigation in which federal and state laws and court rules mandate the process (and often the outcome), mediation is a voluntary process. Thus, the parties… Continue Reading
Holiday Parties: An HR Nightmare!
Posted in Harassment, Wage & HourIt’s that magical time of year! Time for hot cocoa, warm fires, glad tidings – and office holiday parties! Office holiday parties are a time for co-workers to relax and for employers to show appreciation to employees, all of which builds office morale. Of course, office holiday parties also come with an extra serving of… Continue Reading
Now Available! Weintraub Tobin’s 2017 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training Schedule
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Employment Contracts and Agreements, FMLA and Other Leaves of Absence, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Reductions in Force, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Trade Secrets and Competition, Wage & HourWeintraub Tobin’s 2016 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training schedule is now available. Click here for a copy of the schedule. If you have any questions on any of our seminars or would like to inquire on private, custom-tailored training, please contact: Ramona Carrillo 400 Capitol Mall, 11th Fl. Sacramento, CA 95814 916.558.6046 rcarrillo@weintraub.com
EEOC Issues Guidance on National Origin Discrimination
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and RegulationsPerhaps because of the unfortunate social tensions arising after the U.S. Presidential election which include some inappropriate threats against immigrants and people of color, the EEOC issued its Enforcement Guidance on National Origin Discrimination last week. The Enforcement Guidance replaces the EEOC Compliance Manual, Volume II, Section 13: National Origin Discrimination (2002). National origin discrimination… Continue Reading
Mandatory AB 1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Posted in Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and RegulationsSummary of Program The regulations regarding California’s Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for supervisors require that certain employers provide training to their supervisors every two years. The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin is offering a two hour in-person training session that will comply with all the requirements outlined in the… Continue Reading
7th Circuit To Revisit Title VII Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ruling
Posted in Discrimination, Harassment, New Legislation and RegulationsOn October 11, 2016, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted en banc (by the full court) review in Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College. This rare move means that the entire Seventh Circuit court will reconsider its previous decision, which was originally issued on July 28, 2016. Kimberly Hively began teaching as a part-time… Continue Reading
Beware – Reporting Wage & Hour Violations Just Got Easier
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Wage & HourThe California Labor Commissioner Launches New On-Line Reporting System On August 31st, the Department of Industrial Relations (Labor Commissioner) launched an online system allowing anyone to report a business’ alleged labor law violations. According to the Labor Commissioner’s Press Release, the new online reporting system is simple to use and enables the Labor Commissioner to… Continue Reading
Oh Sh–! The Government is Knocking at Your Door
Posted in Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Employment Contracts and Agreements, FMLA and Other Leaves of Absence, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Retaliation and Wrongful Termination, Wage & HourSummary of Program There is no universal way to prepare for a governmental audit, investigation or inspection. The employment laws governing your workplace have different compliance requirements and governmental agencies have different agendas and degrees of power. This seminar will include tips on whether, and how to, conduct a self audit; understanding the do’s and… Continue Reading
The EEOC Special Task Force Issues Its Report on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace and Finds that “We Have Come Far But Still Have Far To Go”
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and RegulationsThe EEOC Special Task Force (“Task Force”) has spent the last 18 months examining the myriad and complex issues associated with harassment in the workplace. Thirty years after the U.S. Supreme Court held in the landmark case of Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson that workplace harassment was an actionable form of discrimination prohibited by Title… Continue Reading
Upcoming Seminar – Don’t Be Clueless: The Essentials of Workplace Investigations
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Employment Contracts and Agreements, FMLA and Other Leaves of Absence, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations, Wage & HourSummary of Program Join the attorneys from Weintraub Tobin’s Workplace Investigations Unit as they discuss the fundamentals of an effective workplace investigation. Program Highlights The duty to investigate Determining who will do the investigation Recognizing your own biases Tips for conducting the investigation Preparation Conducting and documenting witness interviews Analyzing the evidence and making credibility determinations… Continue Reading
Mandatory AB 1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Posted in Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and RegulationsSummary of Program The regulations regarding California’s Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for supervisors require that certain employers provide training to their supervisors every two years. The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin is offering a two hour in-person training session that will comply with all the requirements outlined in the… Continue Reading
Social Media Fail: Sometimes Even Employers Memorialize Bad Decisions on the Internet
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, FMLA and Other Leaves of Absence, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and RegulationsBy: Labor and Employment Group Don’t deny it: you scroll through your social media feeds past the mundane photos, click-bait, and “humble brags” in search of explosive drama. Eventually, you might land on a status update from one of the reliable “oversharers” on your friends list (we all have them). She was just terminated from her… Continue Reading
DFEH Releases New Guidance Regarding Transgender Employees
Posted in Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Employee Privacy Rights, Harassment, Labor Law, New Legislation and RegulationsThe Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) recently issued new guidance for employers to prevent discrimination against transgender employees, who are protected under California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act (“FEHA”). Since 2012, FEHA protection has been extended to include gender identity and gender expression categories, and defines “gender expression” to mean a “person’s gender-related… Continue Reading
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