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Author: Sachi Barreiro

Immigration Officials Expected to Continue Wave of Workplace Raids

Immigration Officials Expected to Continue Wave of Workplace Raids

Earlier this month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials descended upon dozens of 7-Eleven stores nationwide in an attempt to identify and remove workers who are in the country illegally. In total, 21 arrests were made. This was part of a continuing investigation into the franchise stores dating back to 2013, when several managers were charged with using stolen identities to hire undocumented workers. A pattern of increased enforcement is expected to continue throughout the year. ICE Director Tom Homan…

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Minimum Wage Increases in 2018

Minimum Wage Increases in 2018

At the start of 2018, the minimum wage increased in 18 states. A few states will increase their minimum wages later in the year. The federal minimum wage has remained steady at $7.25 for many years. However, as the cost of living rises in many areas, several states have passed laws upping their minimum wages in recent years. Many cities and counties have done the same, with some areas inching towards a $15 minimum wage. Employers must pay the highest…

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IRS to Assess “Play or Pay” Penalties Against Employers for 2015

IRS to Assess “Play or Pay” Penalties Against Employers for 2015

Earlier this month, the IRS announced that it will be moving forward with issuing the first penalties against employers for failing to provide the health care coverage required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For a time, it was unclear whether ACA employer penalties would be enforced. In early 2017, the President had issued an executive order directing federal agencies to minimize the “economic and regulatory burden” of the ACA. However, attempts by the President and members of Congress to…

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Deadline Approaches for California Wildfire Victims to Apply for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Deadline Approaches for California Wildfire Victims to Apply for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance

In October, a series of raging wildfires caused multiple fatalities and injuries and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in California. Although the fires are now contained, many communities are just beginning to pick up the pieces in places like Santa Rosa, Napa, and Sonoma. It also means that thousands of Californians are out of jobs. The federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides financial assistance to employees who have lost their jobs due to a major natural disaster. DUA…

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More New Parents Have Access to Job-Protected Leave in California

More New Parents Have Access to Job-Protected Leave in California

Late last week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that will expand job-protected leave for new parents. Over 2.5 million California employees will now have the right to be reinstated to their jobs after taking up to 12 weeks of unpaid bonding leave. The law takes effect on January 1, 2018. Until now, only employees who worked for employers with 50 or more employees could be eligible for job-protected leave to bond with a new child in…

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