Welcome to the Weintraub Resources section. Here, you can find our Blogs, Videos, and Podcasts, in which Weintraub attorneys regularly provide insights and updates on legal developments. You can also find upcoming Weintraub Events, as well as firm and client News.


Upcoming Seminar: Wage and Hour Laws in Today’s Tough Economy

Summary of Program:

In today’s tough economy, employers are struggling to keep up with the myriad of federal and state wage and hour laws while trying to keep their businesses operating. This seminar is designed to help employers and HR professionals gain a more thorough understanding of various wage and hour laws that often create liability when an employer gets them wrong.

Some of the topics to be discussed include:

  1. Discussion of the exemptions available in California and how to evaluate if your employees are exempt.
  2. Allowable reductions to an exempt employee’s pay.
  3. What constitutes “hours worked?”: It’s not always as simple as 9-5.
  4. How to calculate an employee’s “regular rate of pay” and “overtime premiums.”
  5. Complying with wage and hour record keeping requirements: timecards, paystubs, payroll records and more.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

8:30 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Program
There is no charge for this seminar

Approved for 3 hours MCLE Credit; HRCI credits available upon request

RSVP:

Ramona Carrillo
Weintraub Genshlea Chediak
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.558.6046
Fax: 916.446.1611
[email protected]

Parking validation provided. Please park in the Wells Fargo parking garage.

Beth West to Present SEAC Teleseminar: “Mutual Wage Agreements”

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM FREE Lunchtime Teleconference

Location: Teleconference –

Dial 1-610-214-0100
Access Code: 341076#

Payment Details:
• Members: $0.00 in advance (By Sep 13) / $0.00 at the door

• Non-Members: $0.00 in advance (By Sep 13) / $0.00 at the door

The Topic:
Mutual Wage Agreements. Can You Contract Around Overtime Obligations?

Examining the new Arechiga v. Dolores Press, Inc. case – can California employers enter into mutual wage agreements with non-exempt employees that factor in overtime pay to their set compensation? Come hear Lizbeth (“Beth”) West, employment attorney and SEAC Board Chair, discuss this newest case and strategies (and potential pitfalls) of entering into agreements with non-exempt employees to avoid statutory overtime obligations. Get the lowdown on how to construct a “mutual wage agreement” before you tread on thin ice….

The Speaker(s):

Lizbeth ‘Beth’ West, Esq.

Speaker Background:
Lizbeth V. West, Esq. is a partner with Weintraub Genshlea Chediak. Her practice focuses on counseling and training employers and management staff on employment issues such as hiring, disciplinary actions, privacy, terminations, lay-offs, employment policies and contracts, protection of trade secrets, wage and hour laws, leave laws, prevention of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and compliance with other state and federal employment laws. She also has extensive experience defending employers in various forms of employment-related litigation in state and federal court, and in administrative actions before a number of state and federal agencies.

Note: The speaker’s presentation is for informational purposes. Attendees should always consult with their legal counsel to determine how the information discussed during the meeting affects their particular circumstances.

Upcoming Seminar: Social Networking – Computers, the Internet and the Workplace

Summary of Program:

Social networking sites such as MySpace, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter have become more and more popular over the last several years. Employees are communicating with one another (as well as current and potential customers) using these sites, posting their daily thoughts and activities and uploading photos. It is important for employers and HR professionals to understand both the employer’s and the employee’s rights and obligations when the use of these sites actually, or potentially, impacts the workplace and/or the employment relationship.

Some of the topics to be discussed include:

  • Employer’s use of employee’s social media information versus the employee’s right to privacy.
  • Protection of employer’s Confidential and Proprietary Information.
  • Potential employer liability for employee’s on-line conduct.
  • The importance of effective Electronic Use and Social Media policies.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

8:30 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Program

There is no charge for this seminar

Approved for 3 hours MCLE Credit; HRCI credits available upon request

RSVP:

Ramona Carrillo
Weintraub Genshlea Chediak
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.558.6046
Fax: 916.446.1611
[email protected]

Parking validation provided. Please park in the Wells Fargo parking garage.

Join Weintraub attorney and SEAC Board Chair, Beth West, at the SEAC’s full-day fall seminar

Download: SEAC October 2011 Seminar Brochure.pdf

Beth West, Board Chair of the Sacramento Employer’s Advisory Council, invites you to attend the SEAC’s all-day seminar, “From Twitter to Facebook: Avoiding The Risks of Today’s High-Tech Workplace,” at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza on October 24th, 2011.

To sign up, click here.

Location:
Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza
300 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

SELF-PAID Parking available at adjacent downtown plaza lot at 3rd and L streets

Payment Details:
Members: $170.00 in advance (By Oct 17) / $170.00 at the door
Non-Members: $200.00 in advance (By Oct 17) / $200.00 at the door

The Topic:
Today’s workplace is inundated with technology: computers, cell phones, the Internet. Employees who access and use this technology in the workplace (and let’s face it – they almost all do) expose employers to potentially unlimited liability for invasion of privacy, sexual harassment, defamation and even theft of trade secrets. In this full-day seminar, join an elite team of attorneys and computer forensics professionals, as they show employers like you how to identify risks posed by technology, and take the necessary safeguards to minimize loss and liability.
***This program has been submitted to the HR Certification Institute for review.***

Agenda

8:30 am – Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – Welcome Lizbeth West, SEAC Chair
Opening comments from Diane Ferrari, Chief, Northern Workforce Services Division
9:15am – Employee Use of Technology Devices While Away from Work
David W. Tyra
Meredith Packer
KRONICK, MOSKOVITZ
10:30am – E-Discovery for Nonlawyers
David W. Tyra
Meredith Packer
KRONICK, MOSKOVITZ
Noon – Lunch and Networking
1:15pm – Social Media & the Workplace David W. Tyra
Meredith Packer
KRONICK, MOSKOVITZ
2:45pm – Break and Networking
3:00pm – The Wild West of Computer Forensics
Don Vilfer, JD, CFE
CALIFORENSICS
4:30pm – Closing Comments & Evaluations

The Speaker(s):
David W. Tyra, Esq., Meredith Packer, Esq., & Don Vilfer, JD, CFE

Speaker Background:

David W. Tyra, Attorney at Law
A shareholder with the firm, Mr. Tyra’s practice emphasizes representation of private and public sector employers in labor and employment law actions as well as providing advice and counsel on labor and employment issues. His practice covers all aspects of labor and employment law, including wage-hour actions, employee leave matters, workplace discrimination and harassment, work place privacy, and unfair labor practice claims. His litigation experience includes representing employers in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels and before numerous federal and state agencies. He is an active public speaker on employment topics.

Meredith Packer, Attorney at Law
Ms. Packer is an associate attorney in the firm’s labor and employment practice group and a member of the firm’s litigation practice area. Ms. Packer represents both public and private sector clients in employment related lawsuits before state and federal courts.

Don Vilfer, JD, CFE
Don Vilfer is an attorney and former FBI Special Agent in charge of the White Collar Crime and Computer Crimes squad. During his FBI career he also led a major case management team at venues from The White House to the Oklahoma City Bombing. Don is now a legal instructor in computer forensics and electronic discovery.

Note: The speaker’s presentation is for informational purposes. Attendees should always consult with their legal counsel to determine how the information discussed during the meeting affects their particular circumstances.

Upcoming Seminar: Disciplining and Terminating Employees: Methods to Reduce Liability

Summary of Program:

The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Genshlea Chediak is pleased to offer this very important training session that will discuss recent cases to help business owners, human resource professionals, and managers avoid liability and effectively carry out disciplines and terminations.

Some of the topics to be discussed include:

  • An employer’s right to discipline employees; is it limited?
  • Effective policies, training and documentation to reduce liability.
  • Beware of “Progressive Discipline”policies.
  • Did the employee quit or was [s]he “constructively terminated?” (What does that mean?)
  • What type of conduct can constitute “retaliation” and under what law?
  • Who is a “whistleblower” and under what law?
  • Can an “at-will” employee be wrongfully terminated?
  • What constitutes “wrongful termination”?

Thursday, November 17, 2011

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

8:30 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Program

There is no charge for this seminar

Approved for 3 hours MCLE Credit; HRCI credits available upon request

RSVP:

Ramona Carrillo
Weintraub Genshlea Chediak
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.558.6046
Fax: 916.446.1611
[email protected]

Parking validation provided. Please park in the Wells Fargo parking garage.

Upcoming Seminars for Wineries

Three Weintraub attorneys will speak to wineries and winemakers about legal challenges for facility development, land management and business operations at two half-day seminars on Wednesday, November 9th and Thursday, November 17th.

The seminar for the Motherlode & Northern California Wineries and Vineyards will cover recent trends and topics relating to wineries and vineyards in the areas of water law, land use permitting, copyright and trademark.

Weintraub attorney Jim Clarke will speak on business transition planning for wineries. Attorneys Scott Hervey and Bernie Kreten will speak on trademarks, copyrights and wine labels.

The first seminar takes place at 8 a.m. November 9th at Oak Ridge Winery, 6100 E. Hwy 12 (Victor Rd.), Lodi, CA. The second seminar happens at 8 a.m. November 17th at Amador County Fairgrounds, 18621 Sherwood Street, Plymouth, CA.

To register for the seminar, visit www.motherlodewinelaw.com.

Upcoming Seminar: Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Summary of Program:

The regulations regarding California’s Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for supervisors require that certain employers provide training to their supervisors every two years.

The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Genshlea Chediak is offering a two hour in-person training session that will comply with all the requirements outlined in the regulations, including things like:

· an overview of sexual harassment laws;

· examples of conduct that constitute sexual harassment;

· lawful supervisory responses to complaints of harassment in the workplace;

· strategies to prevent harassment in the workplace; and

· practical and inter-active hypotheticals and examples to help illustrate what sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation can look like.

If you are an employer with 50 or more employees, and have supervisors who have not yet been trained, this training is a must. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you comply with your continuing sexual harassment training obligations.

RSVP:

Ramona Carrillo
Weintraub Genshlea Chediak
400 Capitol Mall, 17th Floor (temporary location)
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.558.6046
Fax: 916.446.1611
[email protected]

Parking validation provided. Please park in the Wells Fargo parking garage.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

9:00 a.m. — Registration and Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. — Program

$50.00 per supervisor.

Employment Law Update – SF Edition: 2011—A Year in Review: 2012—A Tough Year Ahead

Download: Flyer – 2011 Year in Review- 2012 A Tough Year Ahead (rev) (1420455).pdf

Join the attorneys from Weintraub Genshlea Chediak’s Employment Law Group for an exhilarating morning (ok … that’s code for an adrenaline — charged; white – knuckle morning) as they review the complexities of a number of new laws facing employers in 2012, and discuss important case law developments from 2011.

Program Highlights:

  • Wage and Hour
    • The New “Wage Theft Prevention Act of 2011”
    • Written Commission Agreements
    • Brinker: The Wait is Almost Over
  • The consequences of misclassifying employees as independent contractors
  • Discrimination and Retaliation
    • The expansion of the definition of “Gender” under FEHA
    • Protection of “Genetic Information”
  • Disability Accommodations
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Privacy
  • Leaves of Absence
    • New obligations under California’s “Pregnancy Disability Leave” law
  • Policies and Contracts
    • Various new laws require employers to update their policies.
  • Ministerial Exception Cases

Thursday, January 26, 2012

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

Le Meridien Hotel
333 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

8:30 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Program

There is no charge for this seminar

Approved for 3 hours MCLE Credit; HRCI credits available upon request

RSVP:

Marilynn Cooper
Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Tobin & Tobin
475 Sansome, Suite 1800
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: 415.772.9648
Fax: 415.433.3883
[email protected]

OR

Ramona Carrillo
Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Tobin & Tobin
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.558.6046
Fax: 916.446.1611
[email protected]

Employment Law Update: 2011—A Year in Review: 2012—A Tough Year Ahead

Summary of Program:

Join the attorneys from Weintraub Genshlea Chediak’s Employment Law Group for an exhilarating morning (ok … that’s code for an adrenaline — charged; white – knuckle morning) as they review the complexities of a number of new laws facing employers in 2012, and discuss important case law developments from 2011.

Program Highlights:

  • Wage and Hour
    • The New “Wage Theft Prevention Act of 2011”
    • Written Commission Agreements
    • Brinker: The Wait is Almost Over
  • The consequences of misclassifying employees as independent contractors
  • Discrimination and Retaliation
    • The expansion of the definition of “Gender” under FEHA
    • Protection of “Genetic Information”
  • Disability Accommodations
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Privacy
  • Leaves of Absence
    • New obligations under California’s “Pregnancy Disability Leave” law
  • Policies and Contracts
    • Various new laws require employers to update their policies.

This seminar is available either in person or via webinar! If attending via WEBINAR, you will receive login information one week prior to the seminar.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

8:30 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Program

There is no charge for this seminar

Approved for 3 hours MCLE Credit; HRCI credits available upon request

RSVP:

Ramona Carrillo
Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Tobin & Tobin
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.558.6046
Fax: 916.446.1611
[email protected]

Parking validation provided. Please park in the Wells Fargo parking garage.