Employee Handbook Compliance Review for Employers & Business Owners
Please contact us to schedule an appointment to review your existing employment Handbook, and/or company policies & procedures to ensure your business is California labor law compliant.
Welcome to the Law Offices of Chauvel & Glatt, LLP!
We are based in San Mateo, California, and serve the Peninsula and surrounding communities, including San Francisco to San Jose, as well as clients throughout Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino Counties and the State of California. We’ve been providing legal services for more than 3 decades and specialize in the fields of Business Law, Real Estate Law, Employment Law, Estate Planning/Probate, Transportation Law, and Intellectual Property Law. We bring a wide range of knowledge and experience, with members of our team speaking English, Spanish and Tagalog.
Practice Areas
Our Team
Our attorneys enjoy working collaboratively and strive to keep matters as simple as possible. We share a desire to give you unparalleled customer service by being proactive and responsive to all your needs.
April Glatt
April Glatt
Natalia Cañas
Natalia Cañas
Derek Myers
Derek Myers
Joe Newman
Joe Newman
Flavio Fonseca
Flavio Fonseca
Ken Weinfield
Ken Weinfield
Our Expertise
- We provide legal advice relative to the myriad of employment-related requirements and rules that apply to employers under California labor law.
- We handle business formation and commercial transactions, as well as commercial litigation.
- We guide our clients through the creation of individual and family trusts, wills, trust administration and the probate process.
- Our firm advises established companies as well sole proprietors, start-ups, and independent contractors in relation to protecting their rights.
- We are well-versed in a wide variety of commercial and residential real estate matters to provide you full-service representation for all your property needs.
- Our attorneys specialize in the transportation and logistics fields and have a thorough understanding of carrier regulations and compliance issues.
Chauvel & Glatt Brings You The Latest Updates.
- Employment Law
Posted in: News
No matter who you voted for, politics is a hot topic in the workplace. We know that the political dialogue is still in full force at the water cooler, the break room and throughout the office. Now, employers must ensure the workplace not only remains safe as required by the California Labor Code, but that you do not violate your employee’s rights and have proper policies in place as we head into the New Year.
Notably, something that seems to be unknown to employers is what type of political speech can I allow, or prohibit in my workplace? As an employer, what can I do, or not do, to maintain professionalism in my company and avoid conflict due to the political stance of one employee vs. another.
Private employers can create policies that govern their company as long as they are lawful; i.e., creating guidelines for what is, or is not, permissible in the workplace. And yes, while your employees have the right to free speech – they do not in your private workplace. As a private business owner, you have the right to restrict such speech at your company, of course, with certain guidelines.
But remember, California law protects employees’ rights to political expression, especially when off duty. Employees do have the right to political expression in personal communications and employers are not allowed to interfere with employees who are lawfully conducting or promoting their views outside of work. Did your colleague or co-worker canvas neighborhoods to get out and vote? You cannot punish them for doing such activities on their own time. Even if they took vacation to do it.
There is also a difference between hate speech and free speech protected by the First Amendment, whether you allow or disallow such political discourse in your workplace. If a complaint is made from an employee, do take it seriously, like any other complaint.
So is politics a hot topic or are you seeing a political divide at the office that is impacting morale or productivity then you can do something about it—while your employees are at work. Contact the Employer Lawyers to create a policy that will work for you work environment.
This material in this article, provided by Chauvel & Glatt, is designed to provide informative and current information as of the date of the post. It should not be considered, nor is it intended to constitute legal advice. For information on your particular circumstances, please contact Chauvel & Glatt at 650-573-9500 for legal assistance near you. (photo credit: depositphotos.com).
- Employment Law
Posted in: News
An Employee Handbook is an important tool for both employers and employees. California has extensive and complicated labor laws that change each year. Employers are responsible for staying up to date with these yearly changes. While you are not legally required to have a Handbook, Employers are still required to notify employees of workplace policies and certain legal rights that employees are entitled to. An Employee Handbook can assist with this to ensure that your company is compliant with these requirements. A Handbook also helps you, as a business owner, consistently apply California Labor Laws across your workforce to avoid claims of discrimination and retaliation.
As the employment laws change each year and your workforce may increase or decrease, it is important that your current employees, and future employees, have a clear understanding of your company policies, and that you communicate to each employee these polices and their rights. This requires you, as the employer, as well as your managers and supervisors, to know what those policies are and how to properly apply them. Each year we see more and more lawsuits against employers, whether the facts are true or not, a lawsuit can be brought against you. By having an up to date Employee Handbook and ensuring your workplace policies are legally compliant, businesses are provided an initial level of protection against potential litigation. But having policies, then understanding them, and following your own polices (and make policies you can follow) is key.
To learn more about creating legal policies that work for your company, the handbook process, or to set up a compliance audit with the knowledgeable Employer Lawyers at Chauvel & Glatt call 650-573-9500.
This material in this article, provided by Chauvel & Glatt, is designed to provide informative and current information as of the date of the post. It should not be considered, nor is it intended to constitute legal advice. For information on your particular circumstances, please contact Chauvel & Glatt at 650-573-9500 for legal assistance near you. (photo credit: depositphotos.com).
- Beyond the Law, Estate Planning
Posted in: News
Yesterday, Joe Newman of Chauvel & Glatt, LLP and Krista Conover of Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizen Bank, presented at the Burlingame Woman’s Club a fun and interactive discussion on guiding individuals and their families on the basics of estate planning.
To book a speaking engagement or presentation regarding estate planning for your group or organization, please email joe@chauvellaw.com.
