STAY UPDATED ON HOT TOPICS

We keep you updated on all hot topic issues related to employment, business, and immigration law.

Getting Married? Take $100 off our Green Card Application Package

May 6, 2019
2 min

Getting Married? Take $100 off our Green Card Application Package

GREEN CARD BASED ON MARRIAGE WEDDING SEASON SPECIAL Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash Before getting married, engaged couples should start preparing their application to apply for a Green Card based on marriage to their US citizen spouse so that they can apply as soon as they receive their marriage certificate. Just in time to commemorate the start of wedding season, The Grady Firm is offering $100 off on our “Gold” Green Card Application Package, now through May 20, 2019

USCIS Continues to make Marijuana Activity a “Conditional Bar” to Obtaining U.S. Citizenship

Jennifer Grady

May 3, 2019
5 min

USCIS Continues to make Marijuana Activity a “Conditional Bar” to Obtaining U.S. Citizenship

Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels Thirty-three US states, The District of Columbia, and at least 26 countries around the world have legalized the production and use of cannabis for medical, and, in some jurisdictions, for recreational use. This wave of legalization has led to a growing and dynamic industry that employs thousands of individuals and has reduced the levels of criminalization of marijuana-related crimes. Despite this changing landscape however, United States C

How Will Legalized Marijuana Affect You and Your Business?

Jennifer Grady

Nov 14, 2016
2 min

How Will Legalized Marijuana Affect You and Your Business?

On November 8, 2016 California voters passed Proposition 64, “The Adult Use of Marijuana Act,” which legalized the recreational use and possession of marijuana for adults 21 and over in the state of California. California is now the fifth state to legalize recreational marijuana, after being the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. As of November 9, 2016, adults 21 and over can now legally use and possess up to an ounce of marijuana buds, and 8 grams of concent

Paid Time Off To Vote? California Law Provides Employees With Up To 2 Hours on Election Day

Jennifer Grady

Oct 19, 2016
2 min

Paid Time Off To Vote? California Law Provides Employees With Up To 2 Hours on Election Day

California Elections Code section 14000 mandates that if employees do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote in a statewide election, then they may take up to 2 hours of paid time off to vote in-person. An employee may choose to take more than two hours off, if his or her employer allows it, but only 2 hours will be paid. California polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on election day. However, be sure to check with your local polling place for their h

When and How Must an Employee Be Compensated for Travel Time?

Jennifer Grady

Oct 17, 2016
5 min

When and How Must an Employee Be Compensated for Travel Time?

There are various factors that influence whether an employee must be compensated for his or her travel time to a new work site, or for off-site employment activity. One of the main factors to consider is whether the employee is actually engaging in travel as part of the employer’s principal activity or, whether the employee is engaging in travel for the convenience of the employer. At the federal level, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the primary law governing travel p

California Employers: Prepare for New Overtime Rules Effective December 1, 2016

Jennifer Grady

May 31, 2016
3 min

California Employers: Prepare for New Overtime Rules Effective December 1, 2016

On May 18, 2016, President Obama and Secretary Perez announced the Department of Labor’s final rule updating overtime regulations, to the disappointment of many employers. The new rule, which will automatically provide overtime pay protections to over four million workers within its first year of implementation, goes into effect on December 1, 2016. The Department published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on July 6, 2015 (80 FR 38515) and in

Show Them the Money! California Employer Responsibility for Payday, Overtime, and Wage Statements

Jennifer Grady

Feb 8, 2016
4 min

Show Them the Money! California Employer Responsibility for Payday, Overtime, and Wage Statements

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. California employers are required to follow the following state and federal laws regarding paydays, final paychecks, overtime, and wage statements. As failure to do so can result in significant penalties, interest, and attorney’s fees, employers must ensure that they are in compliance with the applicable laws below. I. PAYDAY Employees must be paid wages at least twice per calendar month on specific days, as established by company policy. Pursuant t

July 2015 Updates to California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Posting Requirements

Jennifer Grady

Jul 5, 2015
2 min

July 2015 Updates to California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Posting Requirements

By Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Gayane Khechoomian, Esq. On July 1, 2015, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing made significant amendments to the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Now, all private employers with 50 or more employees in at least 20 workweeks in a year and within a 75-mile radius will have to update their leave policies and posted notices, as well as train supervisors and managers in order to comply with the regulations. Employers also inc

July Ushers in New Paid Sick Leave Requirements for California Employers

Jennifer Grady

Jul 1, 2015
5 min

July Ushers in New Paid Sick Leave Requirements for California Employers

By Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Gayane Khechoomian, Esq. On July 1, 2015, a new law affecting millions of Californians went into effect requiring that employers – both public and private – provide paid sick leave to all their employees. Under the new law, employers will have to modify or update existing paid sick leave or time off policies, as well as payroll, recordkeeping, and employee notice procedures. The “Healthy, Workplace, Healthy Families Act” (AB-1522) signed into ef

Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Changes for “Outdoor Places of Employment” in Effect

Jennifer Grady

Jul 1, 2015
4 min

Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Changes for “Outdoor Places of Employment” in Effect

By Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Gayane Khechoomian, Esq. Employers with potential heat-related exposures are reminded that Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standards were changed effective May 1, 2015. California employers at “all outdoor places of employment” are required to take steps to prevent heat illness in relation to training, water, shade, and planning in their business practices. There are additional requirements for certain industries during periods of high heat (ov

SEC Rules Everyday Citizens (Non-Accredited Investors) Can Now Participate in Equity Crowdfunding

Jennifer Grady

Mar 27, 2015
3 min

SEC Rules Everyday Citizens (Non-Accredited Investors) Can Now Participate in Equity Crowdfunding

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. Finally, after three years the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ruled that investments in businesses with less than $50 million no longer require that an investor be an “accredited investor.” This means that everyday citizens can now invest in Startups and small businesses as an investor on Crowdfunding platforms. The long-awaited decision to democratize small business and Startup funding comes from Title IV of the Jumpstart Our Business

Changes to California Employment Laws in 2015 that Every Employer Should Know

Jennifer Grady

Jan 21, 2015
7 min

Changes to California Employment Laws in 2015 that Every Employer Should Know

By Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Gayane Khechoomian, Esq. The California Legislature was quite active in 2014, resulting in several substantial changes to the law for 2015 that are employee-friendly. Employers should take note of the changes to the law described below. I. CHANGES TO WAGE AND LABOR LAWS 1. Minimum Wage Increases The minimum wage increased statewide, with even higher increases in particular cities: California’s minimum wage of $9.00 will increase again to $10.00

The Grady Firm Now Offers Customized Record-Keeping Forms for Employers

Jennifer Grady

Dec 13, 2014
2 min

The Grady Firm Now Offers Customized Record-Keeping Forms for Employers

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Gayane Khechoomian, Esq. California enacted numerous new laws in 2014 that continue to make it more challenging for employers to comply with California employment law. To take out some of the guesswork that employers and Human Resources managers face as they try to run their businesses, The Grady Firm, P.C. has created a package of over fifteen (15) customized forms and checklists to ensure that employers are properly documenting their procedure

Is Your Company Reimbursing Employees for Use of Their Cell Phones?

Jennifer Grady

Dec 4, 2014
4 min

Is Your Company Reimbursing Employees for Use of Their Cell Phones?

Updated September 24, 2018 by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. As of January 1, 2016, California employers must reimburse employees for use of their personal cell phones for mandatory business purposes, as decided by the California Appellate Court in Cochran v. Schwan’s Home Service, Inc. The ruling affects millions of employers who must update their company policies in order to stay compliant with the new law. While this law has been on the books for over two years now, it appears a

Employers May Only Recover Attorney’s Fees and Costs in Certain Actions

Jennifer Grady

Nov 12, 2013
3 min

Employers May Only Recover Attorney’s Fees and Costs in Certain Actions

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. After January 1, 2014, employers will only be able to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs if they are the prevailing party in a court action brought by current or former employees for the nonpayment of wages, fringe benefits, or health and welfare or pension fund contributions if they can demonstrate that the employee brought the action in bad faith. In order to make this recovery, either party must have requested attorney’s fees and costs

STAY UPDATED ON HOT TOPICS

We keep you updated on all hot topic issues related to employment, business, and immigration law.

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Personnel file documents and record-keeping

Severance Agreements

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CONTACT US

Tel. 949-798-6298

info@gradyfirm.com

TELL US MORE

STAY UPDATED ON HOT TOPICS

We keep you updated on all hot topic issues related to employment, business, and immigration law.

Resources Blog Media Events Client Portal Speaking & Training Schedule Appointment AB5 Resources COVID-19 Resources About Jennifer Grady, Esq. Anthony Mance, Esq. Laura Lee, Paralegal Testimonials Philanthropy

Practice Areas

Business Law

Business formation

Contracts

Corporate Recordkeeping

Business Advising

Immigration Law

Green Card based on Marriage

Green Card based on Employment

Naturalization

Investor Visas

Employment Visas

Visas for Trucking Companies

Employment Law

Outsourced Human Resources Department

Personnel file documents and record-keeping

Severance Agreements

Anti-Harassment Training

Employee Investigations

Counseling and Planning on employee issues

GET SOCIAL

CONTACT US

Tel. 949-798-6298

info@gradyfirm.com

TELL US MORE

Resources
Blog
Media
Events
Client Portal
Speaking & Training
Schedule Appointment
AB5 Resources
COVID-19 Resources

About
Jennifer Grady, Esq.
Anthony Mance, Esq.
Laura Lee, Paralegal
Testimonials
Philanthropy