A cable installation company recently entered into a consent judgment with the U.S. Department of Labor, agreeing to pay over $1 million in back wages and liquidated damages to nearly 200 workers. [here] The consent judgment also enjoins the company -- and its former vice president -- from future violations of the FLSA. 

Isn’t it true that nationwide employers can interview and hire employees for their California offices so long as they follow federal hiring laws?  In a nutshell, no way.  Hiring in California presents a host of nuanced, state-specific rules that often add up to “don’ts.” We list a few for you below.

Summer is around the corner and your employees are likely planning vacations. There is no legal requirement for most employers to offer vacation or paid time off (PTO), but employers usually offer one or the other of these benefits to attract and retain employees.

Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer, who was caught in the crossfire earlier this year after axing Yahoo’s work from home policy, has expanded the company’s parental leave benefits.

On May 1, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that an Iowa jury awarded damages totaling $240 million — the largest verdict in the federal agency’s history — in a lawsuit related to disability discrimination and severe abuse.

A newly identified “job killer” bill will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 7.

The California Chamber of Commerce today released its latest edition of CalChamber News featuring information about Covered California, the state’s health exchange.  Covered California is the first-in-the nation online health insurance marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act.  It will help individuals and small businesses compare health plans, get answers to questions, find out if they qualify for federal tax credits and enroll in a plan that meets their specific needs.