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What I've Been Reading This Week: California Edition (3/20)


Every so often, a find a few articles any given week on labor & employment law related issues in a particular state that I think deserve special attention.  In this case, there are several good articles on a few different labor & employment law related issues in California that I want to highlight.  This post runs the gamut from office betting pools, to days of rest under the California Labor Code, all the way to Oakland's new minimum wage and paid sick leave laws (and do not forget the additional article on document review workers and their FLSA fight)...wow!

As always, below are a few articles that caught my eye this week.


Office Betting Pools in California: Legal...or Not?

Anytime there is a big sporting event, whether it be the Super Bowl, March Madness, the World Series, etc., office betting pools start up.  The question then becomes, are these pools legal?  Jeffrey Polsky has a quick note on how these office betting pools are "technically" illegal in California and includes a few thoughts for both employers and employees to consider.


Five Issues California Employers Should Note in Regard to 1 Day of Rest for Every 7 Days Worked

Anthony Zaller has a good article on a few things California employers should review, in regard to the California Labor Code's requirement of one day of rest for every seven days worked.  Zaller notes that a recent request from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, who requested clarification from the California Supreme Court on Mendoza v. Nordstrom, has brought this provision of the California Labor Code to light and consequently listed a few things that California employers should review.  Well worth a read!


Oakland Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Become Effective

This article serves as a good reminder for Bay Area employers and employees that minimum wage and sick leave laws took effect March 2, 2015.  As a result, employers need to ensure they are complying with these new laws or risk penalty.  This article provides a few timely reminders and suggested recommendations to employers.


Document Review Workers - Does the FLSA Apply?

Ok, admittedly, maybe this one is a bit of a stretch to fit into the "California Edition" of this post.  But, it deals with an issue that impacts attorneys across the country, including some friends I know who do document review work in California.  This particular article takes a look at whether document review workers are entitled to the protections of the FLSA (namely the right to overtime wages).  The main issue boils down to whether document review work amounts to engaging in the practice of law.  If the answer is yes, then these workers are not entitled to overtime.  However, if the answer is no, these document review workers are entitled to overtime.  The article notes a few cases that have been filed on the issue that readers might enjoy.

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