Dealerships usually use uniforms for at least certain job positions to promote a professional image. There are certain rules applicable to uniform requirements that employers should keep in mind.

We regularly receive inquiries from dealership clients as to whether they can deduct from an employee’s pay the expense caused by the employee’s loss or damage to Company equipment. This question often comes up in relation to electronic devices issued to employees by the dealership, (such as phones and other mobile devices), as well as vehicles and other equipment that employees use to perform their jobs. If the employer believes that the employee was careless or negligent in causing the damage or loss of the equipment, it may be tempting for the employer to simply deduct the expense or loss from the employee’s paycheck. But doing so is risky!!

To establish a case for retaliation under Labor Code Section 1102.5, employees must show that they engaged in protected activity, the employer subjected them to adverse employment action(s), and that there is a causal link between the protected activity and the adverse action. So what is an adverse employment action?

Section 1102.5 of the California Labor Code affords “whistleblowers” (those who report unlawful activity) protections from retaliation. Employers need to handle such reports with care, and train their managers to respond appropriately as well.

The article Dealers have to provide suitable seating to their employees under specified circumstances: Do you know what they are?—by The Scali Law Firm attorneys Christian Scali, Jennifer Woo Burns and Jasmin B. Bhandari—was published in the latest newsletter from the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association.

The article Does your data security strategy protect against spear phishing?—by Scali Law attorneys Christian Scali and Gus Paras—was published by the Greater Cincinnati Auto Dealers Association today.

You’ll find this article by The Scali Law Firm on page 22 of the August/September 2016 issue of West Coast Dealer, a publication of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association.