Seyfarth Synopsis: Have you pondered the implications of hiring help around the house? Here are some legal requirements regarding employment of domestic helpers.

Household workers or “domestic helpers” are people who work within a private household or on their employer’s premises. They include cleaners, maids, groundskeepers, dog walkers, cooks, nurses, home masseuses, personal trainers, and nannies, and those holding
Continue Reading “Takin’ Care of Business” at Home: Hiring California Household Help

By Michael Wahlander and Charles O. Thompson

Last week, California’s Employee Development Department (“EDD”) released California’s most recent unemployment figures, for March 2014 (8.1%) (See here). This number remained unchanged from February 2014 and was a decrease from 9.2% in March 2013.  While these numbers seem encouraging, it still means that many Californians are out of work.  This got us thinking about a common predicament facing employers, whether or not to appeal an award on unemployment benefits.

You’re fired!  That’s good-bye, right?  It is a situation that employers often face — finally reaching the last straw with a problematic employee, terminating him for misconduct, breathing that sigh of relief, and then receiving notice that the same employee filed a request for unemployment benefits with the EDD (See here). In response, you fill out a notice with the myriad reasons this guy couldn’t remain employed, with full confidence he won’t get any benefits based on his nefarious deeds.  But lo and behold, the next thing you know, here comes a surprise notice from the EDD: “Please be advised that the EDD has awarded your former employee, Mr. Slacker Uptonogood, unemployment benefits!”

So what’s your next move?  Once the steam leaves your ears, you have the option to appeal the ruling (See here). Alternatively,
Continue Reading The WORST Former Employee Just Got Unemployment Benefits – Should I Appeal?

By Colleen M. Regan

From the promontory of the first full week in January, we look out over the California employment law landscape and offer our fearless predictions for the coming year.

  1. State enforcement agencies are on the prowl. Employers are increasingly finding themselves the targets of California enforcement agencies, particularly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) and


Continue Reading Surveying the California Employment Landscape: Our Predictions for Trends in 2014