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September 1, 2009
More Litigation Equals
Departure of Redondo Beach Businesses
The Redondo
Beach Chamber opposes a legislative proposal that would
revise the statute of limitations law for any workplace
claim or lawsuit relating to compensation so that the
statute of limitations is renewed each time an employee’s
compensation is “affected,” including each time it is paid.
AB 793 is a proposal that would apply to any California law
impacting employers and eliminating the statute of
limitations for lawsuits that challenge Redondo Beach
employer’s decisions that impact pay or benefits. This opens
the door for an onslaught of litigation on the small
business owner. The Chamber has continued to protect
business by opposing such legislative proposals such as AB
793.
The Chamber believes in the due process of an employee
having their grievances heard in such cases when an
employee’s compensation is affected. This is already covered
under Federal Law through the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
of 2009. AB 793 is an attempt to expand the current federal
law in California, once again, giving business in Redondo
Beach and in our state a reason to leave.
July 10, 2009
Proposed Law Provides Clarity To Meal Periods
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce is supporting a new
proposed law that allows for a clearer understanding of
workplace meal periods and with the hopes of reducing
frivolous lawsuits.
SB 287, authored by Senator Calderon, is a very similar to a
piece of legislation he introduced last year in which the
Chamber supported. SB 287 is once again an attempt to
provide a comprehensive solution when complying and
enforcing of the current meal period laws for employees. The
only unfortunate part is the proposed law, SB 287, is
stalled once again and may be used as a bargaining chip when
legislators debate the state budget later this summer.
The Chamber has been a strong supporter of the proposal
because it will provide clarity and flexibility to employers
and employees across all industries regardless of the
employer size or current union status.
California’s employers and employees have attempted to
comply with Labor Code section 512 since it was enacted in
1999. The section simply states that a non-exempt employee
may not work more than five hours in a workday without being
provided with a 30-minute meal period. These provisions have
been interpreted in various ways by state enforcement
officials and the courts, contributing to significant
confusion. This confusion has also lead to costly litigation
against California businesses that now may face closure due
to exorbitant settlements.
According to the California Chamber of Commerce, meal
periods disputes are currently 40 percent of all California
class-action lawsuits and approximately half of all
employment-related lawsuits filed in California each year.
SB 287 is design to avoid liability under these
interpretations and some employers have had to even
discipline or discharge employees for not taking their meal
breaks as directed. Employees and employers will be able to
benefit from the proposal in which protects the employee and
addresses collective bargaining agreements when dealing with
meal periods.
May 20, 2008
Chamber
Supports Proposed Employee Break Law
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
supports a proposed law that will provide a comprehensive
solution when complying and enforcing of the current meal
period laws for employees. SB 1539 will provide clarity and
flexibility to employers and employees across all industries
regardless of the employer size or current union status.
Click here to take action on SB
1539.
“This proposal will help employers and employees understand
the complex rules of taking a meal break and at the same
time allowing for more flexibility for both,” stated Marna
Smeltzer, President and CEO of the Redondo Beach Chamber.
“Employers will be able manage meal breaks more efficiently
while at the same time allowing employees to maximize their
full potential to make the most money on their shift,”
continued Smeltzer.
California’s employers and employees have attempted to
comply with Labor Code section 512 since it was enacted in
1999. The section simply states that a non-exempt employee
may not work more than five hours in a workday without being
provided with a 30-minute meal period. These provisions have
been interpreted in various ways by state enforcement
officials and the courts, contributing to significant
confusion. This confusion has also lead to costly litigation
against California businesses that now may face closure due
to exorbitant settlements.
According to the California Chamber of Commerce, meal breaks
disputes are currently 40 per-cent of all California
class-action lawsuits and approximately half of all
employment-related lawsuits filed in California each year.
SB 1539 is design to avoid liability under these
interpre-tations and some employers have had to even
discipline or discharge employees for not taking their meal
breaks as directed. Employees and employers will be able to
benefit from this new proposed law which aims to protect
employees and address collective bargaining agreements when
dealing with meal breaks.
Click here
to contact the Redondo Beach Chamber
for more
information
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