Tuesday, January 24, 2012

State High Court Orders Review of Case to Clarify Legality of Rounding Timecard Entries - California Chamber of Commerce

The California Supreme Court directed the Fourth District Court of Appeal to review a case involving whether "rounding" time clock entries is lawful under California law. Federal law permits rounding, and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has permitted as a matter of policy, so long as the "rounding" evens out or favors the employee. A trial court recently ruled that a class action involving rounding could proceed against an employer, See's Candies. See's sought a writ in the Court of Appeal, which summarily denied the Petition. The Supreme Court, however, unanimously voted to Order the Court of Appeal to hear See's petition on the merits.

The petition for review is granted. The matter is transferred to the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One, with directions to vacate its order denying mandate and to issue an order directing respondent Superior Court to show cause why the relief sought in the petition should not be granted. Votes: Cantil-Sakauye, C.J., Kennard, Baxter, Werdegar, Chin, Corrigan, Liu, JJ.

This does not mean See's will win. The Court of Appeal may decide in favor of the employee. But at least we'll have our first appellate decision on the issue of rounding.

I will let you know when the Court of Appeal decides the case. If you want to follow along the docket is here.

Thanks to the CalChamber for letting us know about this.

DGV