Southern California Employment Law Blog

We’ve all heard the cliché saying, “It’s cheaper to keep her.” While it may be relevant in divorce, and a good reason to strive for a happy marriage, it may not be a good mantra for business. The greatness of American business is rooted in “Mom and Pop Shops” — small, family-owned, businesses with a minimum number of employees. The appeal of these small businesses are low start-up costs and exclusive control. However, exclusive control is just a facade as Mom and Pop still need to be compliant with the law.

California employment laws are expansive and evolving. According to the Department of Industrial Relations, thirty-two employment-related laws were amended in 2016, and in 2015, there were over 110 amendments or additions. In other words, unless Mom and Pop receive yearly training, they are already falling behind. This is the same for any company, but the difference is that larger companies can terminate their payroll personnel if a mistake is made. Pop can’t exactly fire Mom if she miscalculates overtime.

So, what is Pop to do? The answer is simple: get Mom some help so she doesn’t make a mistake. If a mistake is made, consult an attorney before it becomes a lawsuit. Here are three tips from an employment lawyer to help Mom and Pop avoid common obstacles in operating a business.