September 1999

WIN AT WORK MONTHLY

 

A Community Service of

DON D. SESSIONS, A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORP., Employee Rights Attorneys

 

 

 

 

Win At Work

 

Enthusiasm

 

            “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired, with enthusiasm,” said Vince Lombardi.

            Enthusiasm?  Is it really that important?

            Can’t we just do our jobs and survive in the workplace?

            Survive, perhaps—but not thrive.

            It depends on your goals.  Do you really want a larger raise, a promotion, or more job satisfaction?  On the other hand, do you want to avoid criticism, job burnout, demotion or layoff?  Is your job just a means to earn money, or a valued part of your life experience?

            Enthusiasm implies a positive, vigorous, zealous, teachable, results-oriented, attitude.  Those who are enthusiastic regard work as an opportunity and not just a necessity.  They are often happy with their work, and as a result, happy with those with whom they work.  Enthusiasm isn’t necessarily the result of job satisfaction, but often its cause.

            Getting ahead at work is unavoidably competitive.  Enthusiasm helps give you the edge your boss can’t ignore.

 

 

Employee Rights Update

 

DAILY OVERTIME PAY

 

            Daily overtime pay is back!       Thanks to the passage of Assembly Bill 60, starting January 1, 2000, employers will pay overtime of time and a half for hours worked over eight in a day or forty in a week, and double time for hours worked over twelve in a day.  There is also premium pay for any work on the seventh day in a row.

            This returns us to the law, with improvements, prior to  January 1998 when Governor Wilson changed overtime pay from a daily to a forty-hour weekly basis.

            The new law limits the exemptions to it by doubling the minimum income to $23,920 as a condition.  New penalties, which apply to both corporations and individuals, give it much greater force than before.

            Employee flexibility also has improved.  Employees may also make up lost time, without counting for overtime purposes, up to 11 hours in a single workday.  Alternative work schedules are also allowed with a vote of the employees.

            Combining fair pay with flexibility is a win for all.

 

 

Look for answers by Don D. Sessions, employee rights attorney, to employees’ questions in the "Shop Talk" column of the Sunday Business Section of The Los Angeles Times and the "Business Monday" Section of The Orange County Register. Click here to add
(or here to delete ) your E-mail address to or from our monthly mailing list. For more employee rights information, click here for our website, job-law.com; here to order our book, Employee Rights in California; or contact our office directly at 23456 Madero, Suite 170, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, (949) 380-0900, (800) 774-7494, mailto:attorneys@job-law.com. The Win at Work portion of Win at Work Monthly is from our ongoing syndicated column appearing in Times/Mirror Publications (including LA Jobs and Orange County Jobs) and elsewhere. Win at Work Monthly is intended for general information and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers in need of legal advice should promptly retain the services of an attorney. ©1999 by Don D. Sessions.