According to the National Climatic Data Center, 2014 was the hottest calendar year on record since 1895 in California. Thus far in 2015, the Center has already recorded consistent and similar record-breaking temperatures over the last two months. As such, now is the time for employers to prepare for anticipated record heat Read more…
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today issued a nationwide alert about the dangers of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues/compounds. Fentanyl is commonly laced in heroin, causing significant problems across the country, particularly as heroin abuse has increased. “Drug incidents and overdoses related to fentanyl are occurring at an alarming Read more…
California law provides specific and strict requirements that must be complied with in order to properly notice a deposition in a case filed in a California Superior Court. A review of these requirements must be included in any litigation discovery plan, whether deposing or preparing for a deposition.. Notice of Read more…
Employers have long been denied the opportunity to request a second opinion on an employee’s ability to work before returning from Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave. However, in California, an employer is permitted to request a fitness-for-duty examination and certification after the employee is permitted to return to work. So long as it Read more…
All employers' mindsets in California should be that it must pay all of their employees overtime. Employees who work in excess of eight (8) hours per day or in excess of forty (40) hours per week are entitled to 1.5 times their normal hourly pay,(i.e. “time and a half”) for that additional time worked. (Labor Code Read more…
Mistakes on your criminal record can be devastating to professional licensees such as those Simas & Associates, Ltd. represents. This blog discusses the process for correcting these mistakes. Correcting Mistakes on Your Criminal Record Under California law, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice are responsible for Read more…
Happy President Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday today, everyone. Please note that our office is CLOSED due to the California Holiday. We are open tomorrow from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. And then we will remain closed until Tuesday, February 17 at 8:00 AM, due to the Federal Holiday for Presidents' Day / Read more…
On November 8, 2014, Simas & Associates, Ltd. helped sponsor a 5K and Children’s Fun Run in Paso Robles. “GREW From the Vines” was organized by Trinity Lutheran School out of Paso Robles, California, and was a fundraiser helping families, youth and our community stay healthy while supporting local homeless, Read more…
The California Public Records Act (California Government Code sections 6250-6276.48, “PRA”) states that all public records in California are open to inspection and copying by anyone. However, the exercise of that right takes a little more nuance than just citing the statute to a state, local, or quasi-municipal agency. So, we sat Read more…
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special Read more…