Let’s Talk PAGA
The Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is a powerful California law that allows employees to pursue civil penalties for Labor Code violations on behalf of the State of California. While PAGA claims can involve complex notice requirements, penalty structures, and procedural rules, they have become one of the most significant tools for holding employers accountable for workplace violations. This article explains how PAGA actions work, who may bring them, and what employees and employers should know about recent changes to the law.
Employee Cell Phone Reimbursement
In Cochran v. Schwan's Home Service, Inc., the California Court of Appeal held that employers must reimburse employees who are required to use their personal cell phones for work-related calls under Labor Code section 2802. The court rejected the argument that reimbursement is only required when an employee incurs an additional out-of-pocket expense, reasoning that employers should not be permitted to shift their operating costs to employees. As a result, employees may be entitled to reimbursement even if they have unlimited cell phone plans or do not incur additional charges, with reimbursement generally calculated as a reasonable percentage of the employee's cell phone bill.
