Applying CFRA/FMLA leave laws can be tricky. How can you be sure you’re applying the correct California and federal laws – and in the correct order? You want to stay in compliance, as well as be sensitive to your employees’ needs, but you also don’t want to keep approving leave...

Yesterday , we looked at the first part of a case involving a spa director who was allegedly pushed out of her job following a family leave. Today, the conclusion of the case – plus a new webinar on California family leave that you won’t want to miss. Cathleen Yonahara of Freeland Cooper...

Yesterday , attorney Lauren M. Cooper of the San Francisco office of Epstein Becker & Green, PC, explained a new family leave case that’s good news for employers. Read on to find out the details of the court’s reasoning. We’ll also tell you about a California-specific leaves reference...

Yesterday’s CED answered three tricky "during leave" FMLA/CFRA questions. Today, the challenge of suddenly discovered performance issues, plus an introduction to the definitive reference guide on family leave in California. Q. What if we discover a previously unknown performance issue...

Basic FMLA/CFRA compliance is hassle enough, but employees keep finding new ways to make it just a little bit harder. Today, answers to tricky "during leave" issues...because "out of sight" is not "out of mind." Q. What if I find out that an employee is working another job...

Handling employee requests for time off because of illness, injury, or a disability is undoubtedly one of the most difficult — and frustrating — parts of your job. A complicated array of state and federal laws governing family leave, workers' compensation, and disability accommodation...

A surprising survey shows that many companies simply don't track their paid-time-off (PTO) programs, even though the cost may be as high as health care. Potential savings from better management: millions. Employee: "Boss, I don't feel well. I'd like to stay home but I'm not sure...

Yesterday , Kristen Allison, president of Orange County-based Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, explained 5 of the top 10 benefits trends in 2011. Today, the rest of her top 10, and a new resource for 2011 that you'll be turning to over and over throughout the year. ( For trends 1-5, click here...

In a time of economic uncertainty, employers are looking for innovative ways to balance the needs of their workforce with the realities of the post-Healthcare Reform era. Kristen Allison, president of Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, a leading employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm based...

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the nation's healthcare reform law, was signed into law on March 23, 2010. It is now commonly referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Even before the ink dried on President Obama's signature, analysts, politicians, lawyers, and reporters began...

Yesterday , we looked at some of the recent changes imposed by the California Division of Workers' Compensation. Today, we'll look at some more of the new rules relating to medical provider networks (MPNs). We'll also tell you about a webinar tomorrow that you won't want to miss. Written...

Wage/hour seems pretty basic (pay workers for time worked), but the people who find it easy tend to be the people who pay out million-dollar suits. In yesterday's CED , we featured three million-dollar wage and hour lawsuits. Today, two more suits and an introduction to a unique source of wage/hour...

Wage and hour cases often seem piddling at first glance—what are a few hours of overtime here and there? But add in other class members (hundreds, thousands?), years (2 or 3?), and damages, and you could owe a positively whopping sum. Here are several recent cases, each with something to teach...

Yesterday , we looked at a question from the CED mailbag involving the use of accrued paid time off during family leave. Today, the answer to another leave-related question, as well as the introduction of a comprehensive resource you won't want to be without. Question: What are the differences between...

From the CED mailbag: Can you require employees to use accrued paid time off while receiving SDI or PFL if they are on FMLA leave? We'll explain the rules below. We recently received the following question from a subscriber: Has the law changed regarding whether an employer can require employees...

Leaves under CFRA and FMLA in California are particular challenges for even the most experienced HR professional. Today’s newly updated Compliance Guide to CFRA and FMLA will explain everything you need to know. Download your free report here Here's an excerpt from today's free report,...

Special from BLR's National Employment Law Update Chuckles greeted California attorney Jeffrey Wortman when he announced that he'd tell his audience how to manage intermittent leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). He joined in the laughter, but said there are some guidelines...

I am an employer who has multiple locations throughout the country but do not have 50 employees at any one site. We have a medical leave of absence policy offering 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave (which is eligible for SDI) to employees with bonafide medical conditions. I am looking for a form that...

Maybe—but it depends on how your paid time off benefits are structured. In California, there are two types of paid time off: time that “vests” and is considered to be part of an employee’s wages, and time that does not vest. Vacation benefits are of the type that vests, and employees...

In every issue, we take one reader's question and ask our other readers to weigh in. Here's what you had to say about a recent question: We need to improve our system to help employees return to the job as soon as medically possible. Can you share some tips on how to enhance our return-to-work...