California Employer Blog

Employment disputes can be stressful, costly, and time-consuming for businesses. Knowing whether to pursue arbitration or take a matter to court is crucial for protecting your company while maintaining operational efficiency. For employers, understanding the nuances of arbitration vs litigation can make the difference between a swift resolution and a drawn-out legal battle. At Employer…

Running a business is exciting, but it also comes with risks. One of the smartest steps you can take to protect yourself is developing a well-crafted employee handbook. This document isn’t just a set of workplace rules; it’s a shield against misunderstandings, disputes, and potential legal headaches. Done right, your handbook sets expectations, builds trust…

Hiring the right people is one of the most important decisions an employer can make. Yet, even the most well-intentioned businesses can face legal headaches if they mishandle background screenings or reference inquiries. That’s why understanding how to properly manage background checks for employers and references within the legal framework is critical. With the right…

Hiring the right people is one of the most important investments an employer can make. But it’s not just about finding talent, it’s also about ensuring the process is legally sound. A single mistake during recruitment can expose your company to costly lawsuits, government investigations, or reputational damage. By following a structured and compliant hiring…

Unfortunately, . . . gateway requirements . . . intended to protect the integrity and public trust in our civil justice system . . . seem rarely invoked by trial judges to hold dishonest claimants and their attorneys to account.?

By Steven M. Chanley Every employer should be aware that it need not have the equivalent of the secret formula for Coca Cola, or commercially valuable source code, in order to have a trade secret that is protected under the law from unauthorized use or disclosure by competitors. For example, customer lists that have taken…

Steven M. Chanley In a lawsuit alleging COVID-related religious discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a former employee of MGM Grand Detroit was just awarded $133,000 by a jury in federal District Court in Michigan. As the prevailing party, the plaintiff will also be awarded attorneys’ fees, in…

By Steven M. Chanley A very recent California Court of appeal case hammered home the point that the state’s wage and hour laws, and how they are applied, are intentionally skewed in favor of employees—so much so that even provisions of the California Code of Civil Procedure are bent to achieve that end. In Chavez…

By Steven M. Chanley While many trade secret disputes can often be nipped in the bud with a stern and timely cease-and-desist letter coupled with diligent monitoring, a very recent federal district court case in Massachusetts illustrates the reality that companies can and will, nonetheless, misappropriate a competitor’s trade secrets when they believe the information…