California Employment Law

Yeah.... mercury must be in retrograde.  I have not yet reviewed the astrological chart for 2015, but I just have a feeling it might be.  It's either that or I feel just completely bitchy, overwhelmed, and annoyed. 

But really....what else is new.

It seems like the business world has come out of its post-holiday coma and now everything is exploding at once like it's been under a pressure cooker for way too long.  Where do I start with 2015?

Well, let's rewind to November 2014.   I took time to visit my son in San Diego for an extended Thanksgiving holiday.  Upon returning from San Diego my brother-in-law had the audacity to die in a car accident on December 10th.  The funeral was set for December 21st.  How DARE anybody die at such an inconvenient time!!!!!  Of course the funeral was in a different state with sub-zero temperatures so flying was the only option of getting there. 

Add into the mix of trying to look happy to everybody and remaining functional while dealing with a death in the family and my scare with breast cancer. 


Now the business world shuts down for about two weeks until January 5th.  Trying to tie up loose ends before the year-end cut off is about as productive as a one-armed wall paper hanger.  You try and try, but just can't get the job done.  It's an endless greeting of 'out of office' email replies and voice mail messages. 

January 1, 2015.  Welcome to tax season.  Welcome to new laws bored bureaucrats have invented to create even MORE paperwork.  Welcome to politicians who have grandiose ideas and no resources to implement and track the bull**** laws they pass -- they leave that to us.  Welcome to expiring labor contracts and despite declining numbers, union members still want MORE.  It's not enough that they have full benefits and wholly subsidized health care for themselves and their dependents.

Just between the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements for both employers and employees (which, by the way, have NO teeth for 2015 -- I'm not joking) and the implementation of the California Sick Leave mandate I'm ready to blow my brains out. 

Now I know why unethical businesses skirt all this employment law bull**** and pay cash under the table.  It's so much easier and the chances of getting caught are nill to none.  If caught, the fines and punishment are worth the risk.  It's a wise business decision.