Workforce Bulletin

Much ink has been spilled in recent weeks about how some recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) relief obtained their loans through mistakes or false pretenses. Now banks are coming under fire for their lending practices in connection with this hastily prepared and implemented program, which left them grappling with how to properly issue loans in the face of procedural and substantive gaps in the law. Many lenders tried to fill these gaps by supplementing the PPP application to address practical concerns not covered in the law. Two recent cases, however, demonstrate ...

by Lisa M. Watanabe

In recent years, retailers, grocery stores and banks have been hit with a wave of lawsuits over California’s suitable seating requirements set forth in §14 of the Industrial Welfare Commission’s Wage Orders.  (See http://www.dir.ca.gov/iwc/wageorderindustries.htm for § 14 in 16 of the 17 industry-specific Wage Orders).  Despite the surge in lawsuits, there continues to be several unanswered questions regarding the interpretation of subsections (A) and (B) to §14 which state the following:

1. All working employees shall be provided with suitable seats when ...

Guest post by Kara Maciel

In a settlement that all financial service companies should be aware of, Century Heritage FCU, recently resolved a class action lawsuit concerning the accessibility features of its automatic teller machines (“ATMs”).  Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), banks, credit unions and financial service companies must make their ATMs accessible for individuals with disabilities.  In the settlement, Century Heritage agreed to update its ATMs within 90 days to offer accommodations for blind and visually impaired customers.  The credit ...