Workforce Bulletin

By: Lisa M. Watanabe

The recent holiday shopping season was not so merry and bright for a number of U.S. retailers due to price discounts, stagnant wage growth and low consumer spending.  The disappointing results have prompted several retailers to close their stores and announce layoffs.  Employers considering such an action should familiarize themselves with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retaining Notification (WARN) Act and related state laws that require employers to provide notice in advance of any closings or layoffs.  The following is a brief overview of those ...

by Lisa M. Watanabe

In recent years, retailers, grocery stores and banks have been hit with a wave of lawsuits over California’s suitable seating requirements set forth in §14 of the Industrial Welfare Commission’s Wage Orders.  (See http://www.dir.ca.gov/iwc/wageorderindustries.htm for § 14 in 16 of the 17 industry-specific Wage Orders).  Despite the surge in lawsuits, there continues to be several unanswered questions regarding the interpretation of subsections (A) and (B) to §14 which state the following:

1. All working employees shall be provided with suitable seats when ...