The 10 Scariest Things That Can Happen to You if You Have Employees in California
Many scary things can happen to employers in California. Unlimited damages in employment lawsuits, expensive class actions over obscure wage-hour violations, daily overtime, complex meal and rest break requirements, a state EEO agency that rarely investigates complaints before issuing right-to-sue letters, hefty penalties for final paychecks that are late or incorrect, and unenforceable covenants not to compete are just a few. You will how to avoid runaway jury verdicts and class action lawsuits with arbitration agreements, how California’s wage-hour laws differ from federal law as well as what happens when a discrimination or harassment charge is filed in California. This session will highlight 10 of the worst things that might happen to a company employing people in California, and present some tips to avoid these problems.
James J. McDonald
James J. McDonald, Jr. is a partner in the Irvine, California and Tampa, Florida offices of Fisher & Phillips LLP, where he is a litigator, trial lawyer and strategic advisor to employers regarding labor and employment law matters. He is author of the SHRM-published book, California Employment Law: An Employer’s Guide, and he is a frequent speaker on employment law issues. He is a cum laude law graduate of Georgetown University and a member of the California and Florida Bars, and he holds the SHRM-SCP certification.