PetSmart now finds itself embroiled in a class-action lawsuit in California. The lawsuit addresses training programs and what the plaintiffs allege to be violations of state wage and hour laws. PetSmart and a unique class-action lawsuit PetSmart offers more than...
Protecting Employees
and Consumers
Month: August 2020
The effectiveness of wage and hour lawsuits
The Fair Labor Standards Act and California's wage and hour lawsuits set high standards for employers to compensate employees. Unless they claim an exemption, every California employer is required to pay minimum wage and overtime rates or face lawsuits filed by their...
Settling Vail Resorts class action lawsuits
Vail Resorts has been the series of several class action suits, one of which was filed in the state of California. This suit involved claims that the company failed to properly pay its employees for years at a time. Developments in the case may point to a resolution....
Employees fight for power: Class action lawsuits in California
For years, employees have had several legal mechanisms to fight for their fair share of wages and against unfair labor practices. However, depending on the upcoming decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, millions of workers may no longer have as many avenues open to them...
A breakdown of wage and hour class actions
There's great news for California residents seeking legal action for private-plaintiff wage and hour cases. Class certification rulings are looking more favorable for plaintiffs than they have in over a decade. In 2019, there were 271 wage and hour certification...
The problem of rounding time for meal breaks in California
California has certain rules that make sure employees receive adequate meal breaks according to labor law. Specifically, the state has made it illegal to round up time for meal breaks to the nearest 10-minute mark. Here are a few things employees should keep in mind...
Employee reimbursement for job-related expenses in California
Section 2802 of the California Labor Code requires employers in the Golden State to reimburse their employees for job-related expenses. This is to prevent companies from passing the costs of doing business on to their workers. However, Section 2802 states that only...
How to properly classify an employee
It isn't uncommon for California companies to attempt to label their workers as independent contractors. By doing so, they are not required to provide benefits such as health insurance or a 401(k). However, it is important to understand that businesses themselves do...
Do workers paid on commission or piece-rate get paid rest breaks?
You might make a decent living through commission-based or piece-rate compensation. Whether you’re entitled to a paid rest break may have never crossed your mind. However, California law requires employers to provide employees with a separately paid rest break, even...
Can you leave your employer’s premises during your break?
Most workers look forward to break time, since it gives them the opportunity to rest, run errands and eat. You may want to grab a bite from a local Los Angeles restaurant during this time. Or, you may want to take a snooze in a park close to company property. Yet,...