California Employer Advisor - The Award-Winning Guide to Employment Law and Employee Relations
Home | Blog | Contact | Free E-Zine | Search | SUBSCRIBER LOGIN
 ABOUT US
 About This Site
 Editorial Review Board
 Mission Statement
 Site Tour
 Subscribe
 NEWS & ADVICE
 Most Recent Articles
 Browse by Topic
 Search
 Webinars
 Weekly E-Alert Articles
 Online Exclusive
 Subscribe To RSS
 RESOURCES
 HR Policies & Forms
 Checklists
 Special Reports
 Required Notices
 Ask an Editor
 Discussion Forum
 Reference Links
 Subscription Services
 Products
 HELP
 Account/Login Help
 Contact Us
 Privacy Policy
 FAQs
 Our Guarantee
 Text Size
 TESTIMONIALS
Here's what our subscribers are saying ...
"I'm a fan of ERI and the California Employer Advisor. I started subscribing years ago, probably when ERI was initiated. It's my favorite employment publication and have subscribed at each employer and used with HR staff. It's a quick read and gives the core of an issue and is current. I like the lay-out and also subscribe on-line. It's just a quality experience."

J. Logan
Attorney
Director Human Resources
City of Newark, CA

"I appreciate the timely and informative information provided by your excellent newsletter supplemented by your online updates. Keep up the good work."

Steve Ross
Executive VP
The American Consulting Group
Mission Viejo, CA

"I don't want to miss a single issue!"

Marie Walker
CEO
FIBERSET
Mojave, CA

"This is a great thing that you are doing. It helps the layman gain knowledge about California law and current events. Thanks!"

Brett Arenas
Cascade Drilling

"I have recommended California Employer Advisor to my colleagues. It is concise and clear, and the coverage of laws specific to California is easy to read and interpret. This is the only California employment law subscription service I buy."

Barbara J.
Director of Development
History San Jose
San Jose, CA

"I recommend California Employer Advisor. It has a lot of helpful information on ever-changing labor laws. I am just so glad you exist. You make my job alot easier."

Victoria G.
Golden Valley Health Centers
Merced, CA

"The California Employer Advisor is an essential component of up-to-date information that I use in my profession."

Gayle L., HR Manager
Old Fisherman's Grotto
Monterey, CA

"I appreciate the accuracy and timeliness of the information in California Employer Advisor"

Roberta C., CFO
Professional Print & Mail, Inc
Fresno, CA

"Your weekly e-alerts, and additional resources available to subscribers, allow me as an HR Consultant to be at the top of my game. Very informative and timely—making strategic recommendations that much easier!"

Aimee Heller
HR Consultant
North Bay Human Resources Consulting

"I'm writing to say how much I appreciate receiving the weekly e-alert. It goes a long way in keeping me informed about important decisions and HR trends. So thanks!"

Kathy Nesper
a small-business Business Manager
Bellflower, CA

"California Employer Advisor is like an American Express card--you can't do business without it."

Steve Singer
President
OASE Pumps, Inc.


"I have been in HR for 13 years, and California Employer Advisor is the best publication I have ever seen. It's clear, concise, and presents all relevent information on the topic."

Gail Pollard
HR Consultant
Aetna Life & Casualty


"I love your new website! Being able to frame specific questions to someone who could point me in the right direction is worth all the money I pay. I have been a user for at least the last 8 years."

Cynthia Mendez
Director Global Human Resources
BakBone Software, Inc.


"I have recommended California Employer Advisor to several colleagues because the information is timely. It is hard to keep up on everything. It helps me focus on top issues."

Lillian Wekner
HR Specialist
Healthline Systems


"I love the weekly E-Alert! Don't change a thing!"

Kathy Detrick
Human Resource Director
Carroll, Burdick & McDonough LLP


"I like the E-Alert! It's straightforward, succint, a quick yet informative read. Thx."

G. Matthews


"I think the weekly E-Alert is great. It gives short and vital info regarding critical issues. It keeps me updated on the recent changes."

Hermie Montani
Southwire Company


"I like your newsletters. Often I know something is changing before management does. Thank you for keeping me up-to-date. I like being the first to know."

Karen Nelson
Countrywide Home Loans


"I would not miss your weekly E-Alerts. They are very helpful."

Nancy Blair
Administrative Manager
Stinson Stationers, Inc.

"California Employer Advisor helped us prevent a lawsuit by an employee who claimed he should be paid overtime. The newsletter provided very specific information that helped us show the person was actually exempt."

Monique Klarich
Director of Human Resources
DuPuis Design

"I have been in HR for 13 years and this is the best publication I have ever seen. It's clear, concise, and presents all relevant information on the topic."

Gail Pollard
HR Consultant
Aetna Life & Casualty

"...the investment is so small compared to the value of the information provided."

Nancy A. Tillie
Business and Personnel Manager
Clean Seas

"...a quick and informative read...deals directly with reality as opposed to academic theories...focuses on relevant, day-to-day operational concerns."

Lynn Warren
Director of Human Resources
Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center

"I turn to California Employer Advisor weekly for answers—it saves me a call to our lawyer. It's my bible"

Melissa Hotell
HR Manager
Davis Lumber & Hardware

"Combines the worlds of law and employee relations into an extremly useful and readable format...practical advice on complex issues...written for the nonlawyer."

Edward T. Gardner
Vice President, Human Resources
Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc

"Although I use many tools to keep current on the ever-changing legal requirements for California employers, California Employer Advisor is the most valuable. Nowhere else can I get such timely and accurate information in a concise, understandable report! I'm always recommending your newsletter."

Janet Caprario
Finance Director
The Planning Center

Employer Resource Institute
Home | Featured Resources
 

Featured Resources

Social Media Code of Conduct for Employees and Companies That Twitter, Blog, and Use Social Networks
CEA Online Exclusive September 2009
Maintaining business ethics and policing company codes of conduct are getting harder as electronic communication becomes more varied and more widely accessible. This customizable sample policy is intended to supplement your company's existing computer use and antidiscrimination policies, addressing the unique issues that . . . more
Compensation: The Importance of Clearly Drafted Pay Agreements; Key Terms to Always Include
August 2009
Employers who pay an hourly wage or a salary to employees generally don't have written pay agreements or plans, other than perhaps what's included in an employment offer letter. But when employee compensation includes . . . more
Understanding How to Pay Nonexempt Employees for Travel Time; Sample Travel Pay Policy
CEA Online Exclusive June 2009
Understanding How to Pay Nonexempt Employees for Travel Time; Sample Travel Pay Policy In California, nonexempt employees must be paid for all hours worked. Compensable work hours include all "time during which an employee is subject to the control of any employer, and includes all of the time the employee is suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so . . . more
Compensation: Drafting Effective, Legal Commission Pay Plans
CEA Online Exclusive April 2009
Commission pay plans are a great way to encourage employees to be aggressive salespeople and to reward them for performing well. But a poorly drafted commission pay plan can lead to legal trouble. We'll tell you what you need to know to draft effective and enforceable commission pay plans. . . . more
Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
CEA Online Exclusive November 2008
Stay on top of your accommodation obligations with this exclusive request form . . . more
DOWNLOAD: What's New for 2008 - Workplace Developments and What California Employers Must Do to Comply
DOWNLOAD: What's New for 2008 - Workplace Developments and What California
Employers Must Do to Comply In this Special Report, we'll tell you about the new laws you need to contend with for 2008, and we'll also take a look back at important cases and other legal news from the past 12 months that impact your compliance requirements going forward. . . . more
Family Leave: How To Avoid "Gotchas" in California; Sample Policies You Can Adapt To Your Workplace
Family Leave: How To Avoid "Gotchas" in California; Sample Policies You Can Adapt To Your Workplace Webinar
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Dealing with family and medical leave requests can cause more headaches for employers than almost any other HR issue. It's doubly difficult in California, because you're forced to comply with both the federal FMLA and the state CFRA. And the two don't always agree . . .
more
Healthcare Compliance Update: What California Employers Need to Know Now About Recently Enacted and Pending Legislation
Healthcare Compliance Update: What California Employers Need to Know Now About Recently Enacted and Pending Legislation Webinar
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The news on healthcare reform is changing daily. Now more than ever, you need to know the bottom line on how federal healthcare reform could affect your organization. You also need practical guidance on how to comply with recently enacted legislation that increases your burdens under several federal statutes, including COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA. . . .
more
Electronic Recordkeeping in California: What To Keep, What To Toss, What To Scan, and Where To Store It
Electronic Recordkeeping in California: What To Keep, What To Toss, What To Scan, and Where To Store It Webinar
Friday, March 19, 2010
In today's workplaces, emailing, texting, blogging, tweeting, and the Internet are a way of life. So are electronic records. You may have had your old HR recordkeeping system down flat, but it's a whole new world when you get rid of the paper and move to digital. How do you ensure security of your electronic files? Can you toss the original of a document once you've scanned it into your system? Are there any records you must keep the paper originals of? What sort of system should you have in place for gathering all of these new e-records? . . .
more
Telecommuters in California: Smart Management and Pay Practices To Reduce Your Legal Risks
Telecommuters in California: Smart Management and Pay Practices To Reduce Your Legal Risks Webinar
Monday, March 22, 2010
Telecommuting's appeal shows no signs of slowing down -- and why would it? Workers enjoy the flexibility and freedom, while employers appreciate the reduced overhead. More and more workers of all stripes are hopping aboard the telecommuting bandwagon -- and that's where the trouble can start. . . .
more
Can't We All Just Get Along? Strategies for Defusing Difficult Workplace Behaviors and People
Can't We All Just Get Along? Strategies for Defusing Difficult Workplace Behaviors and People Webinar
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Some workers backstab to get a leg up over their colleagues. Others can't seem to keep their mouths shut at the water cooler, spilling secrets about coworkers, managers, or your organization as a whole to anyone who will listen. Some refuse to work with others on achieving common operational goals. And some are star performers who rack up great numbers but make everyone around them miserable. . . .
more
Complaint Investigations in California: The Legal Dos and Don'ts of Finding the Truth Without Breaking the Law
Complaint Investigations in California:  The Legal Dos and Don'ts of Finding the Truth Without Breaking the Law Webinar
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Dealing with workplace complaints - from racial bias to sexual harassment to threats of violence - is a huge part of your job as an HR professional. It's probably not one of your favorite tasks, either. You're dealing with a double-edged sword: You have a clear legal duty to investigate complaints promptly and resolve them fairly -- but if you make any mistakes along the way, you could wind up in even more hot water than when you started. . . .
more
"So Where's My Raise?": How to Handle Tough Post-Recession Pay Conversations With Employees
"So Where's My Raise?": How to Handle Tough Post-Recession Pay Conversations With Employees Webinar
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The "Great Recession" of 2008 and 2009 is winding down, according to a growing number of economists and media outlets. National surveys now predict that pay raises for U.S. workers will rebound this year, after a rough patch last year in which one in four employers across America gave no raises at all. . . .
more
The 9 Deadly Sins of Hiring and Recruiting in California: How to Avoid These Common - and Costly - Mistakes
The 9 Deadly Sins of Hiring and Recruiting in California: How to Avoid These Common - and Costly - Mistakes Webinar
Thursday, April 1, 2010
What's the most critical step in preventing many workplace problems? Finding and hiring the best employees in the first place. That's easier said than done, even in a recession. Recruiting and hiring the most qualified workers who are the best fit for your organization can be extremely challenging -- from sorting through online applications and vetting resumes to asking legally permitted interview questions. . . .
more
Intermittent Leave: Legal Headaches to Avoid when Designating, Administering, and Denying Periodic FMLA/CFRA Leave
Intermittent Leave: Legal Headaches to Avoid when Designating, Administering, and Denying Periodic FMLA/CFRA Leave Webinar
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tracking and administering intermittent leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) is extremely tricky. It's no wonder why: You have to make sure employees have met the requisite cumulative 12 months of service and 1,250 hours worked in the year prior to the leave, and that's just for starters. Then you need to determine when leave entitlement arises: When you learn of the request for leave, or when the first absence relating to a medical condition occurs? . . .
more
Solving PTO Problems in California: How to Reduce Unscheduled Absences Without Alienating Employees or Violating the Law
Solving PTO Problems in California:  How to Reduce Unscheduled Absences Without Alienating Employees or Violating the Law Webinar
Friday, April 9, 2010
Why do so many California employers struggle these days with unscheduled, unexpected absences by their workers? Here's the #1 reason: Two out of three employees who fail to show up for work aren't staying home because they're sick. Recent surveys say that 21 percent miss work to handle "family issues," another 18 percent are dealing with "personal needs," and the rest claim they're stressed or simply need a day off. . . .
more
Employee Benefits: How to Explain Your Offerings to Employees and Convey a Strong Sense of Value
Employee Benefits: How to Explain Your Offerings to Employees and Convey a Strong Sense of Value Webinar
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Employees' understanding of the benefits they're being offered is key to enrollment success, a recent survey by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company and Employee Benefits News revealed. Given the changing healthcare landscape, plus the shifting perceptions of the value of benefits, an effective employee benefit communications strategy is now more important than ever. . . .
more
Onboarding: Innovative Strategies for Energizing New Hires Right Out of the Gate
Onboarding: Innovative Strategies for Energizing New Hires Right Out of the Gate Webinar
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Onboarding is the first major piece of the retention puzzle. With most new hires taking a full two months to fully commit to their new employers, effective orientation strategies can mean all the difference between them second-guessing their decision to come work for you and their motivation to become productive (and loyal) team players right out of the gate. . . .
more
DOWNLOAD: The Employer's Compliance Guide to Supervisor Sexual Harassment Training in California
DOWNLOAD: The Employer's Compliance Guide to Supervisor Sexual Harassment Training in California This Special Report contains everything employers need to know to comply with the supervisor antiharassment training law. This all-new guide covers the basic provisions of A.B. 1825 and the Fair Employment and Housing Commission (FEHC) regulations that implement it. This guide also provides compliance checklists and a model antiharassment policy and policy acknowledgement form . . . more
The Administrative Exemption in California: How to Avoid Overtime Classification Mistakes
The Administrative Exemption in California: How to Avoid Overtime Classification Mistakes Audio Conference
Originally presented on January 15, 2008
Of the four overtime exemptions—managerial, administrative, professional, and outside sales—the administrative exemption is probably the least clear-cut and the most difficult to qualify for. It's also the exemption that causes employers the most trouble. . . .
more
2008 Legislative Update: The Laws, Regulations, and Court Cases California Employers Need to Know About Now
2008 Legislative Update: The Laws, Regulations, and Court Cases California Employers Need to Know About Now Audio Conference
Originally presented on January 29, 2008
any HR professionals agree, hands down, that California imposes more legal and regulatory burdens on employers than any other state in the country. In 2007, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California General Assembly kept that tradition alive by passing a wide range of new employment-related statutes. . . .
more
Coaching for Success: How to Unlock Employees' Potential for Improved Performance and Boost Workplace Retention and Morale
Coaching for Success: How to Unlock Employees' Potential for Improved Performance and Boost Workplace Retention and Morale Audio Conference
Originally presented on January 23, 2008
This engaging, interactive session will explain how to maintain a coaching mentality, effectively adapt a coaching style for different types of employees, identify issues, set goals to achieve collaborative solutions, and help employees take ownership of their performance. . . .
more
DOWNLOAD: Employee Complaints: An Investigation and Action Guide
DOWNLOAD: Employee Complaints: An Investigation and Action Guide Suppose an employee tells you she was sexually harassed by a supervisor. Or an employee reports that a co-worker is violating a company policy. Or perhaps a worker informs you that an expensive piece of equipment is dangerous and should be replaced. In this Special Report, we've created a workplace investigation and action guide that all employers - regardless of size - can use as a checklist to help focus on the critical issues. . . . more
DOWNLOAD: Terminating Employees in California: A 21-Point Risk Assessment Checklist
DOWNLOAD: Terminating Employees in California: A 21-Point Risk Assessment Checklist Few would dispute that terminating an employee is one of the most unpleasant tasks. This 21-Point Risk Assessment Checklist covers the basic questions you should review before making a final termination decision and highlights the areas most likely to cause problems. It can also be a helpful training tool for managers and supervisors. . . . more
DOWNLOAD: Who's Entitled to Overtime? How to Avoid Mistakes When Classifying California Employees
DOWNLOAD: Who's Entitled to Overtime?
How to Avoid Mistakes When Classifying California Employees Many employers mistakenly believe that simply paying a salary or bestowing an impressive job title is enough to make an employee exempt from the overtime rules. In fact, only one thing really matters—the employee's duties. This report is designed to clear the confusion and guide you through this complicated area of the law. Includes helpful checklists you can use to determine who's exempt and who isn't. Plus, you'll find out which common pay practices to avoid, so you don't inadvertently destroy an employee's exempt status. . . . more
DOWNLOAD: Leave for Injured and Disabled Workers: How to Navigate the Workers' Comp, ADA, and FMLA Maze in California
DOWNLOAD: Leave for Injured and Disabled Workers:
How to Navigate the Workers' Comp, ADA, and FMLA Maze in California In this Employer Guide, we sort out the complex rules governing workers' compensation, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act—as well as the California disability and family leave laws. Includes step-by-step compliance flowcharts. . . . more
DOWNLOAD: The Step-By-Step Sexual Harassment Prevention Guide for California Employers
DOWNLOAD: The Step-By-Step Sexual Harassment Prevention Guide for California Employers In this Special Report, we pull together the latest rules and advice on what constitutes sexual harassment--and how you can prevent it. We also examine how to investigate harassment complaints, protect yourself from lawsuits by fired harassers, handle harassment charges involving vendors or customers, manage the delicate issue of workplace dating, and comply with recent California rules regarding sexual harassment training for managers. . . . more
Sign up for our free
Weekly E-Alert

View E-Alert Archives

2010 Guide to Employment Law for California Employers

Free Report

Paying Overtime on Bonuses: A Calculation Guide

Download Now »

California Labor Law Posters
 TOPICS
Complete Topic List
Most Popular
Benefits & Leave
Compensation
Discrimination
Harassment
Health & Safety
Hiring
HR Administration
New Legislation
Performance/Termination
Wage & Hour
 DISCUSSION FORUM
Recent Forum Posts
· protocol-minimize risk when terminating employee
· Terminate employee on Work Comp limited duty
· Concerns about an Employee
· Reducing salaries
· Record Retention-Direct Deposit Authorization Form
· Termination letter
· H1B Visa holders and RIFs
· Minimum number to constitute a RIF?
· Disciplinary action for missing mandatory meeting
· Employee walked out
· Personal unpaid leave
· Should vacation be paid?
· Privacy Rights of medical information
· Overtime rules for Commercial Drivers in CA
· Question about "Leave"
Search Discussion

ERI has received 12 Editorial Excellence Awards