The Sony privacy hack has drawn international attention and calls into question internet security for companies and employees. For employees who were victim to the security breach, legal questions remain. What are their rights? Can employees take legal action against an employer for a security breach? Thousands of employees suffered…
With an increasing number of Americans making a living at their computers, carpal tunnel syndrome had been a rising diagnosis—as well as a concern for employers. In addition to workers’ compensation claims that have been tied to the repetitive stress disorder, employers have lost work time and productivity because of…
Wellness tracking programs are increasingly under scrutiny by employee rights advocates, health care professionals and other policy makers. In yet another case that challenges the legality of the employee wellness program, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Honeywell International to stop the company from…
New hires are often required to sign contracts and some employers will include a mandatory arbitration clause in these agreements. A recent case highlights some of the legal issues that may come arise when an employee is forced to sign a contract with a mandatory arbitration clause. The Equal Employment…
Non-English speaking Americans and immigrants may face a host of difficulties when seeking jobs, obtaining employment, or when filing complaints or claims related to discrimination. According to local reports, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing has finally ended a policy that prohibited non-English speakers from filing claims. The…
It can take months, years, even decades for an employment lawsuit to come to fruition and get resolved. There are many different reasons. In some cases, an employee will put up with misconduct or violations until they are terminated. Some cases require intensive investigations and an extended discovery process. Other…
The CEO of international retailer American Apparel has long been the subject of controversy. While he has been a champion of U.S. manufacturing to support immigrant works, he has also been the target of at least nine sexual harassment lawsuits. Allegations range from pressuring models into sexual activities to walking…
Students who filed a lawsuit against the State of California’s tenure for teachers laws succeeded in their case when a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge ruled in their favor. The lawsuit challenged the idea that tenure for teachers deprived students of a fair education. The main argument of the case,…
California courts generally do not enforce non-compete agreements because the agreements can be an inappropriate restraint on trade and can impact an employee’s ability to make a living after leaving a job. California is one of two states with a broad ban on non-compete agreements, along with North Dakota. Unfortunately,…
Paid sick leave may soon become a reality in California as the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee voted in favor of Assembly Bill 1522 on June 12. The bill is called the “Healthy Workplace, Healthy Families Act.” Under the proposed legislation, anyone who is employed for at least seven…