Editor in Chief

Bernadette M. O'Brien is an attorney at law in California.

She is the author of the popular Lexis Nexis publication Labor and Employment in California; A guide to Employment Laws, Regulations and Practices Second Edition which has been in publication since 1992. The book covers an array of employment related issues including discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour, family Medical Leave Act, and Privacy in the workplace.

She is of counsel with the Law Offices of Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP in the firm's Sacramento office.

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Co-Editor

Rene Thomas Folse, JD, Ph.D. is an attorney at law and licensed psychologist in California.

He is co-author of California Workers Compensation Claims and Benefits a leading textual resource for many decades which is now available in online format.

He has practiced workers' compensation law for 35 years. His focus of practice involves claims of mental health injury where forensic psychology is involved in the evaluation of the claim. He has been an instructor and lecturer for many organizations and educational institutions and teches continuing education courses for attorneys, physicians and psychologists.

Employment Law News Archive


Public Approval of Unions at All Time Low: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:16:27 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Wal-Mart Asks Supreme Court to Hear Dukes v. Wal-Mart Bias Suit: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:03:37 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Weight Discrimination Suit Against Hooters Proceeds: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:51:16 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Big Unions to Pool Money for Fall Elections: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:40:15 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Disney Hostess Claims Discrimination in Head Scarf vs Costuming Guideline Controversy: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:37:37 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Nurses' Association Files Class Action: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:08:23 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Claim of Discrimination by Pilots in Sexual Harassment Case Rejected by Court of Appeals: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:31:04 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Multi-employer Pension Plans Asking for Federal Bailout: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:30:16 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Automatic IRA Act of 2010 Introduced: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:41:27 - Pacific Time: Read More...


OSHA Issues Largest Fine Ever Against An Employer-$50.6 million Dollars: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:46:23 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Use of BlackBerry Off-Hours Could Be Overtime: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:31:04 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Anti-Union Measure to be Debated in 4 States: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 07:08:59 - Pacific Time: Read More...


OSHA Initiates the Whistleblower Protection Program: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:51:59 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Supreme Court Rules Labor Code Section 351 Does Not Contain A Private Right to Sue: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:42:46 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer to Pay $1 Million Dollars to Settle Race Discrimination Lawsuit: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:01:45 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Supreme Court Rejects Federal "Stray Remarks" Doctrine in Employment Law Cases: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 08:20:04 - Pacific Time: Read More...


UNITE HERE and SEIU Reach Settlement: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 08:50:45 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Required to Consider Transportation To Work as ADA Accommodation: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 08:38:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Must Pay $1.3 Million for Wage and Hour Violations: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 08:31:46 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Terminated Employee Has Wrongful Termination Claim Against Subsequent Employer: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 09:16:12 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Complaints by Federal Employees Against Federal Government Increased in 2009: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:48:09 - Pacific Time: Read More...


9th Circuit Finds that Emotional Volatility Justifies Fitness for Duty Examination for Police Officer: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:48:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Class Action Suit Claims Employment Discrimination by Oakland Bus Company: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:45:55 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Area Temps Agrees to Pay $650,000 for Profiling Applicants by Race, Sex, National Origin and Age: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:38:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Employer Awarded Attorney Fees for Frivolous Title VII Claim: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:25:41 - Pacific Time: Read More...


ADA at 20: Breakthroughs Abound, But Some Attitudes Unchanged: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:25:33 - Pacific Time: Read More...


$17 Million Verdict Against Union For Defamation Reversed: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:30:30 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Senate Passes Extension To Unemployment Insurance Benefits: Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:55:49 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Moscone Act Declared Unconstitutional: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:03:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Man Wins $1 Million Gay Discrimination Suit: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:54:10 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Wal-Mart Spends Millions Challenging $7,000 Fine: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:29:37 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Court Finds Employer Did Not Violate Labor Code Section 226 (a): Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:44:56 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Novartis Reaches $152.5 Million Sex-Bias Settlement: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:00:42 - Pacific Time: Read More...


10th Circuit Finds Catholic Church Immune From Workplace Discrimination Suit: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:10:17 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Dodd-Frank Bill Provides Robust Whistleblower Protections: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:29:26 - Pacific Time: Read More...


OSHA Seeks Applications for $2.75 Million in New Targeted Safety and Health Training Grants: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:27:43 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Failure of Injured City Employee to Request Interactive Process Precludes FEHA Award: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:15:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


24 Hour Fitness Chain Faces Discrimination Lawsuit: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:54:26 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Obama's New "Silent Raids" Sneak Out of the Shadows: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:59:09 - Pacific Time: Read More...


4.5 Million New Workers Eligible for Tax Exemptions: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:53:25 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Terminix Agrees to Pay $80,000 to Settle EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:58:10 - Pacific Time: Read More...


O’Fallon Billboard Company to Pay $55,000 to Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:56:00 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Obama-Pelosi Lame Duck Strategy Resurrects Union Card Check Proposal: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 07:22:08 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Race and Gender Employment Quotas Hidden in Financial Reform Proposal: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 07:47:09 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Must Pay $6 Million For Safety Violations: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 08:55:57 - Pacific Time: Read More...


NLRB to Supervise Union Vote at Indian-Run Casino: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 08:52:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


FedEx and UPS Wage Fierce Political Battle Over Unionization Issues: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 06:57:22 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Court of Appeal Reviews and Approves Settlement of Wage Hour Class Action: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 06:42:09 - Pacific Time: Read More...


10th Circuit Rules That Reasonable Accommodation Does Not Include Reassignment to Position Held By Temporary Worker: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 08:26:53 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Former Wal-Mart Undocumented Janitors Denied Class Status in Labor Practices Suit: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 07:10:45 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Wal-Mart Worker Fired for Legal Pot Smoking Files Lawsuit: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 06:54:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


PETCO Will Pay $145,000 For Failure to Accommodate Deaf Pet Groomer: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:32:10 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Court of Appeal Approves Class Action in California Security Guard Wage-Hour Case: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:59:53 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Review Arizona Employer Sanctions Law: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:35:07 - Pacific Time: Read More...


The Next Crisis: Public Pension Funds: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:52:11 - Pacific Time: Read More...


US Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis Urges Extension of Benefits: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:47:38 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employers Must Pay While Donning and Doffing Protective Equipment: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:56:18 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Congress Fails to Pass an Extension of Jobless Aid: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:53:48 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer To Pay $190,000 to Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:14:58 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Interpretation Letter Expands FMLA Rights to Non-Traditional Families: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:06:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Two Confirmed to Labor Relations Board: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:20:45 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Arbitrator, Not Court, Decides Whether Arbitration Agreement is Unconsionable: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:10:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Invalidates 500 Government Labor Decisions: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:40:52 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Balance Staffing to Pay $100,000 Under Decree in EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:38:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of California Police Chief Who Read Employee's Texts: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:09:06 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Must Pay $4.2 million in back wages for 603 Oregon workers: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:04:58 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Understanding Card-Check Organizing: The Public Sector Experience: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:52:04 - Pacific Time: Read More...


The Legal Framework for States as Employers-of-Choice in Workplace Flexibility: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:18:49 - Pacific Time: Read More...


LinkedIn Communications at Center of Unprecedented Lawsuit: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:33:17 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Sonic Franchises Sued By EEOC For Sexual Harassment To Pay $55,000: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:10:04 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Yuma Oak Tree Inn to Pay $75,000 to Settle EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:35:21 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Hilton Grand Vacations Settles EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:32:24 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Study Claims "Modest Settlement" Most Likely Result of Employment Discrimination Litigation: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:22:19 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Secretary of Labor Issues Statement On Equal Pay Act: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:21:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer to Pay $125,000 to Settle Race and Age Discrimination Claim Brought by Caucasian Woman: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:35:11 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Judge Temporarily Bars Nurses' Strike at UC Hospitals: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 06:01:43 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Announces Publication of Final Child Labor Rules: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 05:54:58 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Bank of America Workers Across U.S. File Class Action for Overtime: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 07:32:48 - Pacific Time: Read More...


House Of Representatives Approves Bill To Extend Benefit Programs: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 07:24:21 - Pacific Time: Read More...


$15 Million Dollar Jury Verdict In Sexual Harassment Case: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 07:59:16 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Feds Seek Forfeiture of San Diego Restaurant for Immigration Law Violations: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 07:55:34 - Pacific Time: Read More...


$3.6 Million in Damages Awarded in Employment Discrimination Case: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 07:19:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


US Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis Issues Statement On Need to Fund Summer Youth Employment, and Extend UI and COBRA Subsidy: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 07:03:33 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Current Trend Toward Contract Workforce: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 07:43:48 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Sues City of Boone, Iowa For Age Discrimination: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 07:37:51 - Pacific Time: Read More...


For Businesses, Bully Lawsuits May Pose New Threat: Fri, 28 May 2010 05:12:20 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Creative Networks Settles EEOC Retaliation Lawsuit for $110,000: Thu, 27 May 2010 10:20:46 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Accepts Arbitration Case for Review: Thu, 27 May 2010 06:11:30 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Publishes Rule Requiring Posting of Employee Rights: Wed, 26 May 2010 07:44:55 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Smooths Path to Plaintiff Fees in Disability Cases: Tue, 25 May 2010 06:36:48 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Orkin Pest Control Sued By EEOC For Age And Religious Discrimination In Hiring And Advertising: Tue, 25 May 2010 06:30:42 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Says Black Firefighter Lawsuit Can Proceed: Mon, 24 May 2010 14:47:57 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Macy’s Sued by Transgender Employee for Harassment and Discrimination: Fri, 21 May 2010 07:48:37 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Pollard Agency Settles EEOC Case Over Head Scarf: Fri, 21 May 2010 07:53:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Chamber of Commerce Releases 2010 "Job Killer" Bill List: Thu, 20 May 2010 07:16:10 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Novartis Plaintiffs Seek $190 Mln To $285 Mln Damages: Wed, 19 May 2010 05:20:38 - Pacific Time: Read More...


US Department of Labor Announces Unemployment Compensation Integrity Act: Tue, 18 May 2010 08:29:38 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Small Business Group Joins Health Reform Lawsuit: Tue, 18 May 2010 08:25:05 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Perdue Farms Settles Age Discrimination Case: Mon, 17 May 2010 06:35:21 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Kerry-Lieberman Bill Negative Effects on Employment: Mon, 17 May 2010 06:26:44 - Pacific Time: Read More...


OSHA Publishes Speech by Assistant Secretary of Labor on Whistleblowers: Fri, 14 May 2010 06:55:23 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Jury Awards $471,000 In Sex Harassment Case: Wed, 12 May 2010 11:14:59 - Pacific Time: Read More...


IRS Issues Guidance on Tax-Free Employer-Provided Health Coverage for Adult Children: Fri, 7 May 2010 05:34:54 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Court Issues Lengthy Decision in Class Certification Case Involving Wal-Mart and Discrimination Claims: Thu, 6 May 2010 06:14:42 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Releases New Online Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor: Wed, 5 May 2010 07:27:37 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC to Issue Final Rules on ADAAA in July of 2010: Wed, 5 May 2010 07:24:27 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Proposed Legislation Would Expand Whistleblower Protections Under OSHA: Tue, 4 May 2010 07:12:51 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Legislation Introduced to Prevent Workers From Being Misclassified as Independent Contractors: Mon, 3 May 2010 07:31:15 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Rules Class Arbitration May Not Be Imposed Absent Agreement: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:12:49 - Pacific Time: Read More...


US Department of Labor's OSHA Institutes New Enforcement Program: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:03:14 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Novartis Class Action Bias Trial to Begin This Week: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:06:11 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Details On Extension of COBRA Subsidy Eligibility to May 31, 2010: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:02:23 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Supreme Court Clarifes ERISA Law in Rehire Case: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:07:38 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act Intruduced: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:59:43 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis Issues Statement on National Equal Pay Day: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:46:06 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Is It Not Too Late to Save Normal?: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:06:28 - Pacific Time: Read More...


State Loosens Unpaid Internship Regulations: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:33:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Fired Reservist's Appeal on "Cats Paw" Theory: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:19:08 - Pacific Time: Read More...