WAGE AND HOUR AND DEVELOPMENTS .........................................................................................................................................1

SUPREME COURT AGREES TO REVIEW TWO ADDITIONAL MEAL PERIOD CASES ............................................. 1

GOVERNOR SEEKS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE ........................................................................................................... 1

STUDENTS IN EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM WERE NOT EMPLOYEES UNDER THE FLSA ........................................ 2

DOL ADDRESSES COMPENSABILITY OF TRAVEL AND MEAL TIME ........................................................................... 3

TELEMARKETERS PERMITTED TO GO TO TRIAL ON CHARGEBACK PLAN ............................................................ 4

MEAL PERIOD EXEMPTION FOR UNION EMPLOYEES IN WAGE ORDER 16 FOUND INVALID ............................ 6

PRIVACY RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES WHO CONTACTED PLAINTIFFS' LAWYER ARE PROTECTED
BY COURT ................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

COMPANION EMPLOYED BY THIRD PARTY RATHER THAN DISABLED INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIED
FOR OVERTIME EXEMPTION ............................................................................................................................................... 11

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION DEVELOPMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 12

STATE SUPREME COURT FINDS THAT SEXUALLY COARSE LANGUAGE IN TV'S FRIENDS
WORKPLACE DID NOT VIOLATE FEHA ............................................................................................................................. 12

EMPLOYEE APPEARANCE AND GROOMING STANDARDS UPHELD ........................................................................ 17

EMPLOYER ORDERED TO REINSTATE CONVICTED EMPLOYEE IT CONSIDERED A DANGER TO
CUSTOMERS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 18

EMPLOYER HAD RIGHT TO FIRE EMPLOYEE AFTER 7-MONTH LEAVE .................................................................... 19

EEOC ISSUES COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINES ADDRESSING RACE AND COLOR DISCRIMINATION ............ 21

OFCCP ISSUED FINAL RULE RELATING TO INTERNET APPLICANTS ...................................................................... 23

MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENTS ................................................................................................................................................... 25

U.S. SUPREME COURT HOLDS THAT ERISA ALLOWS HEALTH PLAN TO REQUIRE
REIMBURSEMENTS FOR BENEFITS PAID BY THIRD PARTIES ................................................................................... 25

DOL ADDRESSES MEDICAL CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVES
WHERE CONDITION EXCEEDS ONE YEAR ...................................................................................................................... 25

SUPREME COURT HOLDS THAT DISPUTE BETWEEN SF AND FIREFIGHTER UNIONS NEED NOT
BE SUBMITTED TO BINDING ARBITRATION ...................................................................................................................... 27

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANNOUNCES NEW WORKSITE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS ........... 27

DOL ISSUES USERRA REGULATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 28

EMPLOYER THAT FAILED TO DISCLOSE FINANCIAL RECORDS TO UNION DURING NEGOTIATIONS
ENGAGED IN BAD FAITH BARGAINING ............................................................................................................................... 28

NEW PUBLICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 29

NEW EDITION OF BOOK OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND PAYROLL FORMS .............................................................. 29

NEW FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE MANUALS AVAILABLE ............................................................................................. 30

NEW EDITION OF LEAVES OF ABSENCE AND TIME OFF FROM WORK MANUAL JUST PUBLISHED ................... 31

2006 SEMINAR SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................................................................... 32

WAGE-HOUR, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, WRONGFUL DISCHARGE, FAMILY RIGHTS
LAWS, AND EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK SEMINARS .............................................................................................................. 32

ALERT RENEWALS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 32

ABOUT THE ALERT .................................................................................................................................................................................. 33

WAGE AND HOUR AND DEVELOPMENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 1

MEAL PERIOD PENALTY DISCUSSED IN ANOTHER APPELLATE CASE ................................................................... 1

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT AGREES TO REVIEW MURPHY DECISION
REGARDING MEAL AND REST PERIOD SANCTIONS .................................................................................................... 3

LABOR COMMISSION LOSES BID TO HOLD INDIVIDUAL PERSONALLY
LIABLE FOR LABOR CODE VIOLATIONS ........................................................................................................................... 4

TRAVEL TIME ON COMPANY SHUTTLE WAS NOT COMPENSABLE WORK TIME .................................................... 5

FAILURE TO POST BOND DID NOT PREVENT EMPLOYER FROM APPEALING
LABOR COMMISSION AWARD .............................................................................................................................................. 7

ITEMIZED STATEMENT PRACTICES SHOULD BE REVIEWED ..................................................................................... 8

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION DEVELOPMENTS ........................................................................................................................ 9

U.S. SUPREME COURT REVIEWS BURDEN-SHIFTING FRAMEWORK UNDER
TITLE VII IN FAILURE TO PROMOTE CASE ........................................................................................................................ 9

TITLE VII's NUMEROSITY REQUIREMENT IS NOT JURISDICTIONAL ....................................................................... 10

LAYOFF OF PREGNANT EMPLOYEE DID NOT PREVENT HER FROM PURSUING
DISCRIMINATION AND BONUS CLAIMS ............................................................................................................................11

EEOC ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE RELATING TO SIGHT IMPAIRMENTS AND
ACCOMMODATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................. 12

EMPLOYEE PRODUCED SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF DISCRIMINATION TO AVOID
SUMMARY JUDGMENT ........................................................................................................................................................ 14

THE PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION ACT IS NOT RETROACTIVE ............................................................................ 15

OFFERING DISCOUNT ADMISSION PRICES TO "BABY-BOOMERS" DOES NOT
VIOLATE STATE LAW ............................................................................................................................................................ 17

WRONGFUL DISCHARGE AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................................................ 18

EMPLOYEE WHO DELETED DATA ON EMPLOYER'S COMPUTER VIOLATED
FEDERAL LAW ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18

EMPLOYEE THREATENED WITH VIOLENCE SUES FOR WRONGFUL TERMINATION ........................................ 18
COURT HOLDS THAT PENSION FUNDS MAY BE TAPPED UNDER VICTIMS'
RESTITUTION ACT ................................................................................................................................................................ 19

HOUSEPAINTER WAS NOT AN EMPLOYEE UNDER WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW .................................... 20

NEW PUBLICATION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 21

NEW PUBLICATION ON CALIFORNIA'S MEAL AND REST PERIOD RULES NOW AVAILABLE ............................. 21

2006 SEMINAR SCHEDULE ................................................................................................................................................................. 21

WAGE-HOUR, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, WRONGFUL DISCHARGE,
FAMILY RIGHTS LAWS, AND EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK SEMINARS ............................................................................. 21

ABOUT THE ALERT................................................................................................................................................................................ 22

WAGE AND HOUR AND DEVELOPMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 1

MEAL PERIOD REGULATIONS TEMPORARILY DERAILED ...................................................................................... 1

COURT EXAMINES RULES OF THE GAME UNDER CALIFORNIA'S NEW
"SUE YOUR BOSS" LAW ................................................................................................................................................... 1

COURT FINDS STORE MANAGER NONEXEMPT AND MEAL PERIOD SANCTIONS
PENALTIES, NOT WAGES ................................................................................................................................................ 3

MEAL PERIOD RULES BLURRED FURTHER BY COURT OF APPEAL'S SPLIT DECISION .............................. 7

CLASS ACTION WAIVER IN EMPLOYMENT ARBITRATION AGREEMENT FOUND ENFORCEABLE ............... 8

MINIMUM WAGES REQUIRED FOR ALL HOURS WORKED ................................................................................... 10

STUDENT'S FLSA CLAIMS AGAINST BOARDING SCHOOL FOR TIME SPENT ON
CHORES DISMISSED ...................................................................................................................................................... 12

LABOR COMMISSION INTERPRETS DEFINITION OF "PERSONAL ATTENDANT" ............................................. 12

LABOR COMMISSION ADDRESSES TIP POOLING POLICY .................................................................................... 13

LABOR COMMISSIONER POSITION FILLED ............................................................................................................... 14

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION DEVELOPMENTS ................................................................................................................. 14

FEHC PROPOSES HARASSMENT TRAINING REGULATIONS ............................................................................... 14

VICTIM OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION HARASSMENT AWARDED OVER $1 MILLION ............................................ 16

EMPLOYEE ALLOWED TO PURSUE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT CASE ................................................................. 17

FEDERAL JUDGE HITS EEOC WITH OVER $1 MILLION IN FEES AND EXPENSES .......................................... 18

SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS FOR LOST WAGES WERE SUBJECT TO TAX WITHHOLDING.............................. 19

WRONGFUL DISCHARGE AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ......................................................................................................... 19

NLRB APPROVES RULE BANNING OFF-DUTY FRATERNIZING ............................................................................ 19

TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES WERE NOT ENTITLED TO CALIFORNIA WARN NOTICE .................................. 20

EMPLOYER WHO RESISTED ARBITRATION LOST ITS RIGHT TO COMPEL IT ................................................... 21

2006 SEMINAR SCHEDULE AND NEW POLICIES CD ................................................................................................................ 22

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK AND PERSONNEL POLICIES MANUAL
(NEW – SAMPLE PERSONNEL POLICIES NOW ALSO AVAILABLE ON CD-ROM) .............................................. 22

WAGE-HOUR, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, WRONGFUL DISCHARGE,
FAMILY RIGHTS LAWS, AND EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK SEMINARS ........................................................................ 22

ABOUT THE ALERT .......................................................................................................................................................................... 23

WAGE AND HOUR AND DEVELOPMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 1

SUPREME COURT FINDS WALKING TIME BETWEEN CHANGING AREA AND PRODUCTION AREA
COMPENSABLE UNDER FEDERAL LAW ...................................................................................................................... 1

CLASS CERTIFICATION DENIED IN CASE WHERE EMPLOYER PROVIDED INCREASED
COMPENSATION RATHER THAN REIMBURSEMENTS FOR ACTUAL AUTO EXPENSES ................................. 2

NEW DECISION ADDRESSES MEAL PERIOD, REST PERIOD, AND PAY STUB RULES ................................... 4

DOL OPINES THAT DOUBLE TIME PAID FOR SHORT CALLS IS EXCLUDABLE FROM
THE OVERTIME RATE ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

TIME SPENT "VOLUNTEERING" AT MARATHONS HOSTED BY EMPLOYER MUST BE
COMPENSATED .................................................................................................................................................................. 6

BONUS CAN BE INCLUDED AS COMPENSATION IN THE YEAR IN WHICH IT WAS EARNED
EVEN THOUGH IT IS PAID IN THE NEXT YEAR ............................................................................................................ 7

NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES ALSO WORKING AS TEACHERS COULD BE PAID DIFFERENT
RATES AT DIFFERENT TIMES .......................................................................................................................................... 8

SKILLED EMPLOYEES WHO PERFORM MANUAL OR PHYSICAL WORK CREATED BY
SOMEONE ELSE ARE NOT EXEMPT ARTISTS ............................................................................................................. 9

MEDICAL CODERS DO NOT QUALIFY AS EXEMPT PROFESSIONALS .................................................................. 9

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATORS DID NOT QUALIFY AS EXEMPT FROM OVERTIME ......................................... 9

DOL OPINION ADDRESSES SALARY BASIS REQUIREMENT ................................................................................. 11

OVERTIME EXEMPTION FOR EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN FIRE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES
DID NOT APPLY TO DUAL FUNCTION PARAMEDICS ............................................................................................... 12

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES ................................................................................................................................................................... 12

GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION AMENDING MEAL PERIOD RULES FOR MOTION
PICTURE AND BROADCASTING INDUSTRIES ........................................................................................................... 12

MINIMUM HOURLY RATES FOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE EMPLOYEES AND
PHYSICIANS INCREASED FOR 2005 ............................................................................................................................ 13

STATUS OF MEAL AND REST PERIOD REGULATIONS ............................................................................................ 14

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION DEVELOPMENTS ................................................................................................................... 14

NINTH CIRCUIT RECOGNIZES OFFENSIVE BULLY THEORY ................................................................................. 14

SAFETY DEFENSE JUSTIFIED DENIAL OF JOB TO APPLICANT WITH MONOCULAR VISION.......................... 15

EMPLOYER DID NOT VIOLATE FEHA BY FAILING TO OFFER INSURANCE
COVERAGE FOR IN VITRO FERTILIZATION .................................................................................................................. 16

EMPLOYER ESTABLISHES DEFENSE TO LIABILITY IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE ..................................... 18

EMPLOYER'S LAWSUIT AGAINST EMPLOYEE FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION
FRAUD IS DISMISSED ........................................................................................................................................................ 19

EEOC ISSUES GUIDELINES ADDRESSING CANCER IN THE WORKPLACE ....................................................... 20

WRONGFUL DISCHARGE AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................................................ 22

EMPLOYEES MUST MEET HEAVIER BURDEN TO SHOW DISCRIMINATION UNDER
LABOR CODE SECTION 132a ......................................................................................................................................... 22

TERMINATION OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA USER WAS NOT UNLAWFUL ............................................................ 24

ERISA DID NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE TIMELY
NOTIFICATION OF BENEFIT TERMINATION .................................................................................................................. 25

2006 SEMINAR SCHEDULE .............................................................................................................................................................. 26

WAGE-HOUR, EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, WRONGFUL DISCHARGE, FAMILY
RIGHTS LAWS, AND EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK SEMINARS ......................................................................................... 26

ABOUT THE ALERT .............................................................................................................................................................................. 26