California employees may be interested in an article discussing the differences that working for an Indian tribe brings from an employment law perspective. While the tribal governments are exempt from some statutes, others still apply to protect tribal employees.
President Obama signing order to prohibit discrimination
California LGBT employees and other employees throughout the country may be receiving some additionally recognized rights, thanks to a new executive order that is slated for President Obama's signature. The new order will prohibit federal contractors from discrimination against individuals due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Proposed law would add legal protection for temp workers
Temporary workers and subcontractors in California will receive new legal protections if a bill proposed on May 30 is adopted. Labor leaders say that many large companies avoid their responsibilities under California law by hiring their workers indirectly through temporary agencies or smaller entities. This can lead to workers being paid less, being denied meal breaks and not receiving overtime pay.
California state senate passes minimum wage bill
The California state Senate narrowly approved a measure on May 29 that calls for the minimum wage in the state to rise to $13 an hour by 2017. Republicans argued strongly that raising minimum wage levels would discourage businesses from creating jobs in California and drive up prices for consumers. Democrats argued that employers should not be allowed to pay wages so low that workers require public assistance just to make ends meet. The bill will now move to the state Assembly where it will likely spark more heated debate.
