Wage and Hour
Independent Contractors
A Distinction With a Difference We are in the information age where the “knowledge worker” is king. More and more workers wish to operate as “free agents”—independent contractors. The problem is the federal and state government haven’t quite figured that out yet. The hot topic for them is “reclassifying” free agent independent contractors to employees [...] read more
Preventing Employment Law Problems
Avoid Emergence of Employee Legal Problems Many business owners and entrepreneurs tell us that dealing with employment law matters ranks among their least favorite management activities, while also being one of their greatest concerns. Understandably, they wish to focus their efforts on activities which generate revenue and which keep their customers happy and their employees [...] read more
Top 10 Preventable Employee Lawsuits
Wage and Hour Claims Discrimination Claims Wrongful Termination Claims and Whistle Blowing Claims Leaves of Absence Related Claims Harassment Claims Breach of Contract Trade Secret Misappropriation and Unfair Competition Defamation Claims Invasion of Privacy and Drug Testing Class Actions, and Business and Professions Code 17200 Actions (Download Full Report (PDF)) Avoiding Employee Lawsuits The California [...] read more
Litigation Defense
Limiting Costs and Liability Employment law litigation is expensive, which is why much of Vision Law’s practice involves helping employers prevent the emergence of labor problems that could result in an employee lawsuit. Unfortunately, we find that in many cases employers only come to us for help after a problem has emerged. In these situations, [...] read more
Employee Handbook Law
An employee handbook is a compilation of labor laws in the state that are applicable to the employees. At Vision Law, our attorneys have considerable experience in the creation of such handbooks. A free custom Employee Handbook is included when your company signs up for Vision’s Predictable Fees Program (12 month subscription). We have the experience [...] read more
Unemployment Insurance
Federal Program Administered Through States Unemployment insurance is a federal wage replacement program administered through the Employment Development Department (EDD) in California. The program is financed by unemployment tax contributions from employers. Employee Eligibility Upon termination of employment, a former employee with any appreciable time in the workforce will generally be entitled to unemployment benefits. [...] read more
Class Action
Not Just For the Fortune 500 What would you do if your business was handed a wage and hour class action Summons & Complaint requiring a response within 30 days and demanding $1.9M in damages, the alternative being a default judgment being taken against your business? You continue reading and realize this isn’t about just [...] read more
FAQ: Employment & Labor Law for Small Businesses
Should my small business be concerned with employment and labor law? Yes. Many laws apply even if your small business only has one employee. Once your business hits five employees most major employment and labor laws apply. Even micro businesses in California are subject to employee claims. “What kinds of employment and labor laws apply [...] read more
Wage and Hour Law
“Class action” lawsuits based on labor law violations threaten large and small businesses around the country. Wage and hour laws are designed to protect laborers against unfair practices by employers, are some of the oldest labor laws in the nation. But today, class-action lawsuits allow a single “representative” plaintiff and their attorney to prove his or her complaint against an employer on behalf of many other employees. In California there is the added threat of a “representative action” under Business & Professions Code 17200 for “unfair competition.”
If you are a business owner, you could receive a summons to respond within 30 days to a complaint that demands millions of dollars in damages. What would you do? Read More »