Rizio and Nelson California Law Blog

Common California Employment Law Questions

Does California require employers to allow rest breaks?Yes.  California employees are guaranteed a ten minute rest period for each four hour period that they work.  This is covered by the Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders.  Whenever possible the break should be half way through a shift. If it’s not provided, you are entitled to an extra hour of pay for that day. What happens if my break...

Wrongful Termination

It is common knowledge that these are very tough economic times. Not since the Great Depression have we seen so many layoffs and so many companies engaged in mass layoffs or simply closing their doors forever. For the people that have lost their jobs, this is heart wrenching news. Suddenly, everything they’ve worked for for many years is gone. It is natural to want to seek compensation for this...

Exempt Employee Law

When you work in California, it is wise to know the state’s labor laws. They differ from the Federal laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act. They can be both stricter and more specific. One of the laws that affects many employees is the Exempt Employee Law. Exempt employees are those people that receive a specified amount for forty hours’ work without overtime, commonly known as people...

Overtime

In general, “overtime” refers to hours worked beyond 40 hours per week by persons who are 18 years of age or older. This time is paid to the employee in an amount equal to one-and-one-half times their normal wage. There are many specific details in the law that cover exactly who can receive overtime, and how many hours have to be put in each day and each week. The website ca.gov lists all the...

Whistleblower Protection

No one wants to be a ‘tattletale’. As children, we are taught that it’s not nice to tell stories or lies about other people, and if we do, we are teased relentlessly, ostracized, and made to feel miserable. It’s no surprise, then, that when we grow up we still feel the need for acceptance from our peers. We don’t want to jeopardize personal or professional relationships...

When Do You Need A Worker’s Compensation Attorney?

In California, the laws regarding worker’s compensation have undergone dramatic changes over the past several years. While worker’s compensation remains an available service to many people, some may find they have a legal battle in their future in order to receive benefits. There are a number of reasons that a person may require an attorney who is specialized in worker’s compensation...

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is the insurance benefit that employees receive if the employee is injured or becomes sick as a result of working for the employer. The employer has to pay this insurance. Employees have the right to receive prompt medical treatment for their injury or illness. They also have the right to temporary disability benefits for the time that they are unable to perform the duties...

Family Medical Leave & Other Benefits

Not many people understand the new laws that are in place for Family Medical Leave or for wages and overtime. California takes the enforcement of these laws very seriously and if you feel that you’re rights have been compromised it’s up to you to speak up and seek help. Whether you’ve been denied the right to take advantage of the family medical leave act or you feel that you have...