When you take a job, you have to fill out that paperwork that helps your employer withhold the right amount of income tax contributions from each paycheck. Sometimes, employers have you fill out a 1099 document as an independent contractor instead of having you fill...
Employment Law
How do you determine if you are the victim of wage theft?
As an hourly worker, time clock records determine how much you receive in each paycheck. Your compensation can change from week to week based on your schedule, which can make it easy for you to overlook discrepancies between the hours you work and what your employer...
Can your employer fire you for taking leave to care for family?
Professionals have to balance the demands of loved ones with the obligations of their employment. Many working adults are able to meet most of their family needs when they are not at work by running errands on the way home and tackling household projects on the...
What is an independent contractor vs. an employee in California?
The way your employer classifies you affects their obligations and your rights. As an employee, you have the protection of certain laws and specific workplace programs, like workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. As an independent contractor, you are...
3 ways employers retaliate against those who report safety issues
Workers in the United States have protection from both federal and state laws. You have the right to a harassment and discrimination-free workplace. You should be able to trust that your employer complies with best practices regarding workplace safety. You should not...
Does receiving a salary make you exempt from overtime pay?
Earning a salary is a career goal for many people. A salaried position is likely a more stable one that the company intends to retain permanently, as opposed to hourly, seasonal positions that may only last for a few months. Salaried workers often receive benefits,...
At-will employment laws do not protect employers from wrongful termination
As a general rule, at-will employment means that the working relationship is being maintained due to the will of both parties. One party is the employer and the other is the employee. If either one of them decides that they would like to end that relationship, they...
Can an employer fire you for being pregnant?
If you get pregnant, you may be wondering what your rights are. Fortunately, you do have excellent rights thanks to the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Since this act was enacted, it has been a law that employers may not discriminate against workers due to pregnancy,...
3 ways your employer could unfairly deny you overtime pay
Federal law and California state laws support the right of workers to receive overtime compensation. Federal law requires that companies pay workers at least 150% of their average hourly wage if they work more than 40 hours in a given workweek. California expands on...
Have you been placed on a Performance Improvement Plan?
A Performance Improvement Plan is a formal document that tells you what kinds of deficiencies you have as an employee. This plan also includes steps for you to take to turn those performance issues around, so that you may keep your position at the company without...