Category Archives: Employment
Google Docs, Drive, and Personal Devices: How California Employees Secretly Save Evidence of Wrongdoing
You’re watching something wrong happen at work. Maybe it’s unpaid overtime, quiet discrimination, “fix the numbers” emails, or a manager who only bullies certain people. HR smiles, takes notes, and does nothing. So you do what a lot of California employees do: You open Google Docs and forward emails to your personal account. You… Read More »
Non-Competes Are Mostly Illegal in California, So Why Are You Still Being Asked to Sign One?
You get the offer. You’re excited. Then HR drops the packet: handbook, tax forms, confidentiality agreement, and tucked in there, almost casually, is the thing that doesn’t belong in California: “Employee agrees not to compete with Company for a period of X years after separation…” You think: “Wait… I thought non-competes were illegal in… Read More »
Can Your Employer Make You Work “Off the Clock” in California?
It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book: a manager asks you to “just finish one last thing” after you’ve clocked out. Or maybe you’re expected to check emails before your shift, set up equipment before logging in, or clean up after you’ve already punched out. None of it shows up on your… Read More »
Leave as an Accommodation: How Much Is “Reasonable” in California?
Everyone wants a number. Two weeks? Three months? A year? The honest answer: California doesn’t set a magic limit. “Reasonable” leave is measured by facts. Those facts are your medical needs, your job’s realities, and whether your employer can manage the absence without undue hardship. What the law does give you is a strong… Read More »
6 Signs You Are Not Classified as an Employee Correctly
California has made worker classification a serious legal issue. Thanks to laws like AB 5 and landmark court rulings such as Dynamex v. Superior Court, most workers are presumed employees unless their employer proves otherwise under the “ABC test.” Why is this a big deal anyway? Misclassification lets employers dodge paying minimum wage, overtime,… Read More »
Meal and Rest Break Rights in California: What Employers Often Get Wrong
If you’re clocking in long shifts in California, you might assume your employer has your back when it comes to breaks. But in practice, many employers get it wrong, or worse, push you into forfeiting your rights without even telling you. At In Motion Law, we believe understanding your legal entitlements can flip the… Read More »
Remote Work in California: Can My Employer Monitor Me?
With remote work comes new legal questions about privacy, surveillance, and employee rights. If you live in California (or work remotely for a California employer), you may be wondering: can your employer still monitor you when you’re working from home or even off the clock? The short answer: yes, but with important limits and… Read More »
What Constitutes a Hostile Working Environment in California?
There’s a difference between a stressful job and an illegal one. California doesn’t let bad bosses off the hook just because they’re “tough.” If workplace behavior crosses into discriminatory territory, it can become a hostile work environment and that’s protected by law under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). At In Motion Law,… Read More »
My Employer Asked Me to Sign a Severance Agreement: What Does It Mean?
So your employer just offered you a few paychecks and a “nice little agreement.” Before you sign, pause. A severance agreement isn’t their way to show kindness. It’s a legal exit strategy designed to protect the company. Even if the money is tempting, what you’re giving up (and the fine print) can leave you… Read More »
