The California Supreme Court recently granted review of Richey v. Autonation, Inc., a Court of Appeal case that vacated an arbitration award in favor of the employer. The Court rejected the employer’s argument that it had an “honest belief” that an employee was misusing his CFRA/FMLA leave, and this honest belief justified the employee’s discharge. We previously discussed the Richey case here https://www.thelelawblog.com/2012/11/articles/labor-law/the-continuing-danger-of-terminating-employees-on-leave-an-honest-belief-that-leave-is-being-misused-is-not-always-enough-richey-v-autonation-inc/ on our blog.Continue Reading California Supreme Court Grants Review of CFRA/FMLA Case Richey v. Autonation, Inc.
Labor Law
The Fourth Circuit Court Says Pregnant Employee Not Entitled to Accommodation
By: Duyen T. Nguyen
In Young v. UPS, 2013 U.S. App. Lexis 530, a UPS worker sued her employer for sex and race discrimination under Title VII and for disability discrimination under the ADA on the basis of her pregnancy. On January 9, 2013, the Fourth Circuit Appellate Court issued a decision affirming the district court’s grant of summary judgment for the employer.Continue Reading The Fourth Circuit Court Says Pregnant Employee Not Entitled to Accommodation
Don’t Gamble On Tip-Pooling Arrangements
By Ramona Carrillo on
Posted in Labor Law, Wage & Hour
On Wednesday, the California Court of Appeal affirmed a casino’s tip-pooling arrangement for its card-dealer employees in Avidor v. Sutter’s Place, Inc. That published decision (available at this link) brings to mind verses from Kenny Rogers’ old country song, The Gambler: “You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away and know when to run.” If the songwriter had known about the Avidor lawsuit, that refrain could have added, “You got to know when California law allows tip-pooling for employees, and know when it don’t.”Continue Reading Don’t Gamble On Tip-Pooling Arrangements
IRS Gives Employers Guidance on the Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions of the Affordable Care Act
By Ramona Carrillo on
Posted in Labor Law, New Legislation and Regulations
Employers should be planning ahead for the January 1, 2014 implementation of the “Employer Shared Responsibility” provisions of the Affordable Care Act. That is because the average number of workers a company employed during 2013 will determine whether an employer is a “large employer,” and must offer minimum levels of health insurance to its employees, for 2014. The Internal Revenue Service has now issued a 144-page proposed rule and added a “Q&A” section to the IRS website (found here) geared toward explaining how it will decide whether an employer is required to offer affordable health insurance and what levels of coverage must be provided.Continue Reading IRS Gives Employers Guidance on the Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions of the Affordable Care Act
The California Supreme Court Issued A Win For Businesses Who Prevail In Disability Access Cases In California
By Ramona Carrillo on
Posted in Labor Law
On December 17, 2012, the California Supreme Court issued its decision in Jankey v. Lee. The Court ruled that prevailing defendants in disability access cases brought under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and California Civil Code section 55 are entitled to their attorney’s fees just like prevailing plaintiffs are. The issue was vehemently disputed between that segment of the plaintiff’s bar that specializes in “shake-down” disability access lawsuits, and the California business community.Continue Reading The California Supreme Court Issued A Win For Businesses Who Prevail In Disability Access Cases In California