Managing the Workplace
Management Discriminates Daily, But Is It Unlawful Discrimination?
Jack Welch, in his book, Winning (chapter 3 “Differentiation” page 37), underscores one of his core values by stating: “Companies win when their managers make a clear and meaningful distinction between top- and bottom-performing businesses and people, when they cultivate the strong and cull the weak. Companies suffer when every business and person is treated [...] read more
Right to Privacy
When we talk about the “right to privacy” in the employment context, it is important to note generally we are not talking about the “employer’s” or the “business’” right to privacy. You guessed it, we are talking about the “employee’s” right to privacy and in some contexts, the business’ clients’ rights to privacy. In California, [...] 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
Employee Leaves
Leave of Absence and Time Off In our attorneys’ experience, leave of absence and time off is an often misunderstood area of employment and labor law for employers. Combined with other potential issues, such as the need for time off as a reasonable accommodation for a disability or the return to work on modified duty [...] read more
Employee Policies & Procedures
Putting the Right Management Tools in Place Most employment law problems can be avoided through the proactive development and implementation of policies and procedures that encourage compliance with California and federal law. At Vision Law Corporation®, we help business owners and entrepreneurs protect themselves from employment law disputes through active programs of consultation and policy [...] read more
Unlawful Harassment
In California, your company has legal obligations with regard to unlawful harassment: You must take steps to prevent unlawful harassment from occurring You have a duty to promptly investigate claims of unlawful harassment You have a duty to take immediate and appropriate corrective action if you find that unlawful harassment has occurred If your company [...] read more
Trade Secrets
Protecting the “Secret Sauce” The law of trade secrets has broader application than to employee relations. But the problem often arises in the employment setting, usually when a departing employee feels they can take your “secret sauce,” steal your clients and start a competing business with impunity. What Is a Trade Secret? Trade secrets are [...] 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 [...] read more
Whistle Blowing and Retaliation
Discrimination Claims with a Spin…and Then Some To make sure California management and business owners “get it,” federal and state laws create variations on the theme of unlawful discrimination. Not only is it unlawful for business to take adverse action against an employee because of a protected class, it is unlawful for management to take [...] read more
At-Will Employment – The Cornerstone of Employer Rights