When it Reins, It Pours
PAGA TAKEAWAYS FROM THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN KIM V. REINS On March 12, 2020, the California Supreme Court issued its opinion in Kim v. Reins, landing a highly anticipated blow in favor of employees. (Kim v. Reins Int’l California, Inc. (2020) 9 Cal.5th 73.) Most notably, the court took an “expansive approach” to standing […]
Know Your Rights: COVID-19 FAQs For Employees
During these challenging and unparalleled times we have compiled a set of resources to support you. In an effort to keep you well informed, this page will be updated regularly throughout this global crisis. Can my employer fire me if I get coronavirus? Your employer cannot fire you if you test positive for COVID-19. Negative […]
Ralphs/Food 4 Less Sued After Massive Outbreak Sickens 100+ Employees at Compton Warehouse
Ephraim vs. Ralphs Complaint FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Treating their essential workers as disposable, and forcing them to choose between a paycheck and a pandemic, Ralphs and Food 4 Less ignored the most basic safety precautions, leading to over one hundred employees at their Compton, California warehouse contracting COVID-19 according to a group of workers. The […]
Get to Know The Top Up-And-Coming Rising Stars at MLG!
Five of our attorneys at Matern Law Group, PC were recently selected to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars list. Dalia and Tagore additionally made the Up-and-Coming 50 Women and Up-and-Coming 100 lists! Read more about them below. Dalia Khalili Dalia Khalili has been selected to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars list. She has […]
Complying with Employee Safety Requirements in California During the COVID-19 Crisis
All across the United States in this time of the COVID-19 crisis, employees continuing to work in their places of employment are dealing with the challenging circumstances of working during a pandemic while trying to ensure their health and safety are protected. From nurses at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica and Kaiser in the […]
Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA): Forging Ahead
THE QUEST FOR CLARITY UNDER CALIFORNIA’S PAGA: RECENT RULINGS TO HELP YOU VALUE THE CASE A speck on the horizon: The birth of the Private Attorneys General Act statute When the California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (“PAGA”) was enacted, it created a new frontier in the realm of California employment law. (Lab. […]
The Compelling Evidence of MeToo
In Meeks v. AutoZone, the California Court of Appeal recently found me too evidence to have “unquestionable” probative value. If the #MeToo Movement has taught anything, it is that there is strength in numbers. Because sexual harassment cases often involve a great deal of “he said/she said” testimony, the introduction of “me too” evidence at […]
Sexual Harassment At Work
The law defines sexual harassment as either unwelcome verbal, visual, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature or conduct based on someone’s sex that is severe or pervasive and that affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment. At work, sexual harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination. It is important to understand […]
I Signed What?! (Arbitration Agreements)
Know Your Rights: Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Agreements Note: The information provided below is for educational/ informational purposes only and should not to be taken as legal advice. If you believe you have experienced employment violations contact an attorney. Do you remember every form you signed when you were hired at your job? We’ve all been […]
Bosses Who Hug Their Employees May Create a Hostile Work Environment
Hugs from your boss could indeed create a hostile work environment. In an opinion issued just last week, a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Zetwick v. County of Yolo revived a sexual harassment lawsuit against the Yolo County Sheriff by holding that the U.S. District Court improperly dismissed a […]
Taco Bell Employee Wins Arbitration Important Victory For Working People
November 9, 2016 In an important victory for workers’ rights, the California Court of Appeals refused to order a fast-food worker to arbitrate his wage and hour claims against a Taco Bell franchisee, Century Fast Foods. Attorneys from Matern Law Group, PC argued that an arbitration agreement, like any agreement, requires the mutual assent of […]