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


Court of Appeal Affirms Police Officer's $3 Million Verdict Against City of Los Angeles: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 07:32:31 - Pacific Time: Read More...


President Signs Extension of COBRA Subsidy: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 07:14:29 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Labor Officials Confident Union Lawyer Will Take NLRB Seat: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 06:39:55 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Obama Administration Plans to Close International Labor Comparisons Office: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 06:35:54 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Seasonal Affective Disorder Increasingly a Workplace Issue: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 02:20:58 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Two Ex-Vice Presidents Sue AIG for Discrimination: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 04:56:32 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Apple Admits To Child Labor Practices In At Least Three Factories: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 04:43:31 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Walmart To Pay More Than $11.7 Million To Settle Sex Discrimination Suit: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 07:16:11 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Ordered to Pay $85K for Sexual Harassment Violation: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 07:11:11 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Hartford Settles a 401(k) Class Action and Agrees to 'Revenue-Sharing' Disclosures: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 07:06:59 - Pacific Time: Read More...


$22.5 Million Dollar Jury Verdict in Negligent Hiring and Retention Case: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:33:23 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Court of Appeal Give Guidance on Reasonable Accommodations and Interactive Process: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:01:25 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employers, Workers, and the Future of Employment-Based Health Benefits: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:41:41 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Tip Pooling Arrangement Does Not Violate The Fair Labor Standards Act: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:30:18 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Must Pay $1.4 Million For Alleged Violations of Immigration and Nationality Act: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:01:07 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court to Consider Another Case on Racial Bias in Hiring: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:10:10 - Pacific Time: Read More...


JetBlue Airways Looses Appeal Over Age Gender Retaliation Claim: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:14:05 - Pacific Time: Read More...


CA Supreme Court Issues Ruling on "Kin Care" Sick Leave Statute: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:20:01 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Proposed Rule to Define ADEA "Reasonable Factor Other Than Age" Defense: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:23:49 - Pacific Time: Read More...


MALDEF Joins Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Against AARP: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:21:25 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Scott Brown and the Derailment of Obama’s Labor Agenda: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:48:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer to Pay $400,000 for Race Discrimination: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:40:21 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Slammed with $4.5 Million Attorneys Fees Award for Poorly Prepared Case: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:30:39 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Employment Discrimination Law: Two Systems, Separate and Unequal: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:43:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Five Silicon Valley Companies Fought Release of Employment Data, and Won: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:18:19 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Astonishing Change in the Educational and Employment Status of Women in the U.S.: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:12:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Companies Slash Payrolls by Calling Workers Independent Contractors: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:02:51 - Pacific Time: Read More...


UCLA-RAND Center for Law and Public Policy Releases Comprehensive Study on FEHA: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:06:38 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Updated OSHA Guidance Addresses Late-Night Retail Workers and Workplace Violence: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:17:55 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Craig Becker Could Be First Casualty of Scott Brown Win: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 08:01:31 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Boeing Settles Two EEOC Sex Discrimination and Retaliation Lawsuits for $380,000: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:53:05 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Obama Budget Boosts Labor Funds to Combat Workplace Fraud: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 06:53:06 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Posts Data on Job Patterns in Private Sector: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 06:31:51 - Pacific Time: Read More...


More Suits are Being Filed Against Small and Mid-sized California Businesses: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 06:31:01 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Landwin Management to Pay $500,000 for National Origin Bias and Sexual Harassment: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 06:16:52 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Immigration Raids Yield Jobs for Legal Workers: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 07:24:15 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Administrative Law Judge Holds That Bank of America Discriminated Against African-American Job Applicants: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 07:18:14 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Sues Law Firm For Age Discrimination and Retaliation: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 00:44:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Pilgrim's Pride pays more than $1M in back wages: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:22:10 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Court Rules Employees Were Not Exempt From Overtime: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 03:52:28 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Helicopter Pilots Due Overtime Pay: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:46:50 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL’s OSHA Proposes $683,000 in Penalties Against Employer for OSHA Violations: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:46:43 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Unions See Members Fall by 10%: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:24:55 - Pacific Time: Read More...


New Study - NY Low-Wage Workers Are Cheated Out of Pay: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:48:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


AFL-CIO Poll Shows Union Households Boosted Brown: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:52:23 - Pacific Time: Read More...


8th Circuit Rules That Employer May Not Discriminate Against Female Employee Because of Appearance: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:57:12 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Private Right of Action for Improper Medical Inquiry under ADA: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:46:22 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Workers Sue Over Alleged English-Only Policy: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:05:01 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Obama Directs Administration to Block Contractors Delinquent on Taxes From Receiving Contracts: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:02:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL: Union Density Rate Essentially Unchanged in 2009: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:16:17 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Announces Updated Model Notices and COBRA Subsidy Webcast: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:02:07 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Mixed-Motive Liability Ruled Out In Seventh Circuit Case: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:30:28 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Attorney Fee Issue in ERISA Cases: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:15:02 - Pacific Time: Read More...


New Jersey Rules on Business to Business Sexual Harassment: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:58:59 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Employee Arbitration Case: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:31:44 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Male-on-Male Sexual Harassment Growing Trend in the Workplace: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:17:56 - Pacific Time: Read More...


CA Supreme Courts Finds For Employer on Attorney Fee Issue in FEHA Case: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:59:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Judge Cites Discrimination in N.Y. Fire Dept.: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:37:12 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Model COBRA Subsidy Notices Created By The EBSA: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:43:56 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Sues Employer For Failing to Protect Employee Interests in 401(k) and Health Plan: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:09:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Roto-Rooter Accused of Sex Discrimination: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:06:43 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Introspection After Allegations Of Discrimination: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:45:16 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Blindness Organizations And ASU Settle Amazon Kindle DX Discrimination Suit: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:42:04 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Recession-Stung Governments Target Public Employee Unions: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:47:25 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Workplace Consequences of Electronic Exhibitionism and Voyeurism: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:34:26 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Ralph Schomp Automotive Agrees To Pay $1.5 Million To Settle EEOC Sex And Age Bias Lawsuit: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 05:53:37 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Americans' Job Satisfaction Falls to Record Low: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 05:47:24 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Federal Judge in Florida Bans Plaintiff Employment Lawyer From Practicing: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 07:50:57 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Obtains $376 Million in 2009 for Job Discrimination Claims: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 07:39:07 - Pacific Time: Read More...


L.A. leads New York, Chicago in Abuse of Low-Wage Workers, Survey Says: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 07:20:28 - Pacific Time: Read More...


U.S. Chamber of Commerce Challenges Pro-Union Oregon Law Limiting Employers' Free Speech Rights: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 06:32:09 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Will Pay $650,000 for Racial Discrimination: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 06:21:42 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Justices Step Into Uncharted Waters With 'Sexting' Cyber-Liability Case: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 07:26:58 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employers Beware: Failure to Engage in the Interactive Process Can Be Costly: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 07:17:25 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Labor Chief Moves on Job Safety, Workers' Rights: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 05:24:48 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Issues Fact Sheet on COBRA Subsidy Extension: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 05:21:38 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Pilgrim's Pride Reaches $4.5 Million Deal with Prosecutors Over Immigration: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:10:47 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Judge Orders Whirlpool to Pay $1,073,261 for Alleged Race and Sex Discrimination: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:06:43 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Arrow Trucking Sued for WARN Violations: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:41:34 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Outback to Pay $19 Million for Sex Discrimination: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:34:42 - Pacific Time: Read More...


State Department Seeks to Dismiss Age Discrimination Suit: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:02:31 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Gross ADEA Decision Does Not Eliminate McDonnell Douglas Framework: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:57:09 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Security Company Must Pay Almost $1 Million in Back Wages: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:22:05 - Pacific Time: Read More...


COBRA Health Coverage Subsidy Extended: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:03:36 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Court Approves Distribution of $4.5 Million Settlement in EEOC Age Bias Suit Against Allstate: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:40:13 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Cal-OSHA Safety Standards Are Basis for Employer Tort Liability: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:17:39 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Conduct Must Be "Severe and Pervasive" To Support Hostile Work Environment Claim: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:46:19 - Pacific Time: Read More...


US Says It Will Ratify Treaty to End Discrimination Against Women: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:28:02 - Pacific Time: Read More...


New York Governor Signs Executive Order Banning Gender Identity Discrimination: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:43:38 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Suit Claims Racial Hostility At Dr. Pepper Plant: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:36:57 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Albertsons to Pay $8.9 Million For Alleged Job Discrimination: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:49:53 - Pacific Time: Read More...


ATT Hit with Two Wage and Hour Class Actions Seeking $1 Billion: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:55:45 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Communities Go Beyond State and Federal Statutes in Enacting Caregiver Protections at Work: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:29:29 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Bahama Breeze to Pay $1.26 Million for Racial Harassment of Black Workers: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:19:18 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Atherton Settles Sexual Harassment, Discrimination Lawsuit: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:19:32 - Pacific Time: Read More...


US Supreme Court to Decide Privacy Case Involving Text Messaging: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:03:18 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Labor Commissioner Wins $4 million Settlement for Laid Off Title Company Workers: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:08:26 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California EDD Under Fire for Late Checks: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:42:39 - Pacific Time: Read More...


How Documenting Can Keep You Out of Court: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:11:15 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Solis Pushes Agenda to Bolster Labor: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:00:54 - Pacific Time: Read More...


McDonald's Faces Complaint Over Transgender Row: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:58:05 - Pacific Time: Read More...


State Employee May Pursue Both Internal Remedies and a FEHA Claim for Discrimination: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:42:10 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL Recovers $1.7 Million From Employer For Overtime Violations: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 06:15:48 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Announces Fall 2009 Regulatory Agenda: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 06:20:35 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Employer Must Pay $937,000 in Back Wages: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 05:58:29 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California State Leaders Explore Job Creation: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 01:12:24 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Sheriff's Religious Presentations to Deputies Violated Establishment Clause: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 00:42:03 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Report Examines Civil Rights During Bush Years: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 04:07:40 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Ninth Circuit Reissues Order Requiring Health Benefits For Same-Sex Spouse: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 03:57:42 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Race Remains a Serious Obstacle in the Job Market for African-Americans,: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 05:58:56 - Pacific Time: Read More...


CA Supreme Court Holds Communications Between Outside Counsel and Client are Privileged: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 05:35:42 - Pacific Time: Read More...


California Supreme Court Issues Decision in Roby v. McKesson Wrongful Termination Case: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 04:00:15 - Pacific Time: Read More...


EEOC Files Disparate Impact Lawsuit for Misuse of Credit and Criminal Records: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 04:00:09 - Pacific Time: Read More...


DOL's Employment Law Guide: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:02:15 - Pacific Time: Read More...


Ninth Circuit Finds for Employer in Disability Discrimination Case Based on "TMD": Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:02:07 - Pacific Time: Read More...