As the novel coronavirus pushes governments and businesses to extraordinary protection measures, seemingly overnight, a new victim may be emerging: privacy.  Such a concern may seem superfluous amid a pandemic that has claimed tens of thousands of U.S. lives, sickened more than half a million, and turned a booming economy on its head. But ignoring reasonable limits — and the potential ramifications — could sacrifice privacy rights in a way some say poses many risks. Smartphones, health … [Read more...]

Law-breaking employers paid more than $88 million in penalties last year under a progressive California law that guards workplace rights, a new report finds. That’s up dramatically from $30.3 million in 2018. The Private Attorneys General Act lets workers sue on behalf of the State of California to recover civil penalties on behalf of the State and affected workers for labor violations. This legal option is available regardless of whether an employee has signed a forced arbitration agreement … [Read more...]

Coronavirus has dramatically interrupted U.S. life, bringing normal routines for many almost to a standstill.  The number of confirmed domestic cases of coronavirus COVID-19 has soared in recent days, with California facing the third-most cases among states, according to tracking by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Given this stark reality, workers face tough choices. Here’s a rundown of what your employer can — or can’t — make you do on the job, … [Read more...]