If you’re a California State Employee facing disciplinary action, you’re probably feeling anxious, uncertain, and possibly even angry. A notice of adverse action can feel like a direct attack on your career, reputation, and livelihood. ...
For years, the people who have kept our communities running—teachers, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other public employees—have faced frustrating and often unfair cuts to their Social Security benefits. Even though many of ...
For decades, millions of public sector retirees—including firefighters, police officers, teachers, and emergency medical workers—have been shortchanged by unfair Social Security laws. But thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act, those outdated penalties are now ...
California law protects employees who are victims of crime or abuse, ensuring they do not face discrimination or retaliation for seeking justice, medical care, or workplace accommodations. With the passage of AB 2499, these protections ...
Workplace retaliation is a critical issue that can have lasting effects on employees’ careers and well-being. Many workers are unaware of what constitutes retaliation, how to recognize it, and what legal protections exist to prevent ...
Recently signed legislation expanded Social Security benefits for millions of retired Americans, including firefighters, police officers and teachers. The Social Security Fairness Act eliminated two federal policies that barred employees with a public pension from ...
Navigating employee terminations can be one of the most challenging responsibilities for business owners, especially when dealing with California's intricate employment laws. In this informative video, Amanda Malucchi, a seasoned attorney at Goyette, Ruano & ...
In this video, Victoria Gutierrez, attorney at Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, explains the basics of wrongful termination in California. Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for illegal reasons, even if the termination seems ...
You’ve been excelling, meeting every deadline, and even getting praise from your manager. Then, without warning, you’re handed a termination letter. Or maybe you reported unsafe working conditions, only to find yourself on the receiving ...
My Employer put me on administrative leave, what do I do now? In this comprehensive video, Nicole Valentine at Goyette Ruano + Thompson provide essential guidance for employees who find themselves placed on administrative leave. ...
California Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) introduces new mandates for employers across the state, requiring the implementation of a workplace violence prevention plan (WVPP). This legislation aims to enhance the safety and security of workplaces ...
If you are a registered nurse convicted of a crime you have different things to keep in mind if you are convicted of a crime. Attorney Ian Woo has worked in the license defense field ...
Are you a teacher in California? Are you wondering if you have an alternative to joining the California Teachers Association (CTA)? Partner and CAO of Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Attorney Rafael Ruano shares his expertise ...
Are you a teacher in California? Are you wondering if you are required to be a member of the California Teachers Association (CTA)? Partner and CAO of Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Attorney Rafael Ruano shares ...
Do you want to form a Labor Union but are not sure how to do so? Most people are unsure of the requirements that go into forming a Union. Attorney Rafael Ruano, Partner and CAO ...
Managing the Adverse Impact on PEPRA Employees The Public Employee Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) was intended to stop the increasing costs of the pension system. However, CalPERS and many other 37 Act pension ...
PORAC LDF Rolls Out Plan VI Coverage DetailsAs you are aware, the passing and subsequent signing into law of Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) in California brought about several big changes for peace officers to ...
Governor Newsom Extends Supplemental Sick Leave Governor Newsom announced today that an agreement has been reached with State Legislature (Senate President Atkins and Assembly Speaker Rendon) on the framework to ensure employees have access to ...
Cal/OSHA Will Not Adopt Federal ETS On Friday, January 14th, 2022, the California/Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards Board announced that the Second Readopted COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) is now in effect and shall ...
Not Guilty Verdict Goyette, Ruano & Thompson Secures Not Guilty Verdict in San Joaquin County Voluntary Manslaughter Trial Goyette, Ruano & Thompson is proud to announce a successful outcome in the defense of peace officer, ...
There has been a large amount of media coverage and commentary on Senate Bill 2. So, we wanted to provide a complete legal analysis that you and/or your association can utilize to answer any questions ...
On September 30, 2021, Governor Newsom officially signed Senate Bill 16 into law. Given the implications that it will have, GRT wants to provide a complete legal analysis to answer any questions or concerns you ...
Goyette & Associates, Inc. Becomes Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Inc. Rafael Ruano and Daniel Thompson join founder Paul Goyette as name partners 19 July 2021, Gold River, CA – Over 25 years after its inception, ...
Case Study: G&A Secures IDR Victory for SJCERA Goyette & Associates is pleased to announce that it has prevailed in yet another industrial disability retirement case out of San Joaquin County. In this case, the ...
How to Set Up A Union (California Public Employee) By: Rafael Ruano If you are employed by a public agency in California (state, county, city or district), then you have a right to set up ...
As a key segment of essential workers, correctional employees and Supervisors have seen the risks and demands of their essential jobs impacted immensely. Correctional Supervisors are tasked with maintaining the safety, security, and well-being of ...
Can a past conviction hold you back from employment and can you get your conviction expunged? Do you want to be competitive in today’s job market? It can be hard enough to stand out in ...
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) updates program to include COVID-19 deaths / COVID-19 line of duty deaths. The outbreak of COVID-19 has presented difficult challenges for the entire world, as people from all walks of ...
Executive Order Extends POBRA Statute of Limitations by 60 Days Peace officers from across the state were directly impacted by an executive order that was issued yesterday. On March 31, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive ...
CARES Act Paycheck Protection Loan Program: Congress recently passed the biggest stimulus bill in the history of the United States. One of the most significant provisions of that law is the CARES Act Paycheck Protection ...
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: What California Employers and Employees Need to Know On Wednesday, March 18, President Trump signed an emergency bill (the Families First Coronavirus Response Act) which, among other things, provided ...
Nurses and healthcare workers have a fundamental right to a safe and healthy workplace, and infectious diseases such as COVID-19 should be no exception. Full protection of healthcare workers is a fundamental and necessary part ...
Statement to Our Clients, COVID-19 Labor Issues: Goyette & Associates is proud to represent California’s finest on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. From nurses and utility districts, to peace officers and EMT/fire personnel, ...
The Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act, commonly referred to as POBRA or POBR, provides procedural guarantees to public safety officers who are under investigation by their employers. POBRA is codified in Government ...
Attorney Brett Sherman of Goyette & Associates successfully represented a State of California Employee in the overturning of a voided appointment. Employee X* was promoted to a Staff Services Manager I (SSM) position within the ...
by: Dan Thompson Most public sector and public safety employees understand that while on duty there are numerous policies which set forth codes of conduct to which you are expected to adhere. But what about ...
By: Paul Goyette A recent string of California Superior Court and Court of Appeals Decisions indicate a clear trend to decline various employee and employer organization challenges to PEPRA. PEPRA is a form of pension ...
By Heather Phillips, Labor and Employment Divison How to Respond to Disciplinary Action at Work You were just served with a Notice of Proposed or Intended Discipline. Now what? First, say nothing about the facts ...
Are You Entitled to Unemployment Benefits? You have received notice of termination from employment. The first questions that come to mind for many people are “how am I going to pay my bills?” and “will ...
When Workers Compensation is not your Exclusive Remedy Typically, when someone is injured on the job, the sole remedy for obtaining money for their injuries is through workers compensation. This allows an injured employee ...
Do you know your rights after an officer involved shooting? Have you been involved in an Officer Involved Shooting? Do you know your rights? Officer Involved Shootings likely represents the most stressful situation a peace ...
What Happens to Wage Law with Trump Elected (and with a Republican controlled House and Senate)? With the surprising (to most) result of the Presidential election making Donald Trump the United States Commander in ...
$795,000 Class Action Settlement obtained by Goyette & Associates for County Employees On October 18, 2016 Judge Alan Perkins in the Sacramento County Superior Court complex litigation Department granted ...
Jury Selected in Trial of Police Officer Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter Lawyers for the Prosecution and for Patrick Feaster finally agreed upon a jury to hear the manslaughter case against former town of Paradise police ...
Officer-Involved Involuntary Manslaughter Trial to Start October 3, 2016 The trial of a Paradise police officer, Patrick Feaster, accused of involuntary manslaughter, starts today, Monday October 3rd, 2016 in the Butte County Superior Court. Officer ...
Manslaughter Trial Set to Start on October 3 for Police Officer The trial for Paradise police officer, Patrick Feaster, is set to start on October 3, 2016 in the Butte County Superior Court. Mr. Feaster ...
BALTIMORE PROSECUTOR DROPS CHARGES AGAINST THREE REMAINING POLICE OFFICERS Baltimore City Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby dropped charges against three police officers still awaiting trial in the 2015 death of Freddy Gray – ending the high ...
Modified Penalty: From a 5% Reduction in Pay for 12 Months to a letter of reprimand. In early June 2016, Goyette & Associates attorney, Dan Thompson, represented a correctional sergeant who was accused of excessive ...
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER In February 2016, Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced that he had charged Town of Paradise Police Officer Patrick Feaster with a charge of involuntary manslaughter. The charge ...
A county Fire Lieutenant received serious injuries while on the job. After years of suffering, innumerable medical procedures and unsuccessful pain management, the officer sought a disability retirement. Even though he had two permanent and ...
Progressive discipline before severe discipline Officer Douglas was suspended without pay for ten days due to an investigation based on misconduct. Several allegations were made against Officer Douglas including that he was insubordinate, derelict in ...
After July 1, 2015, all Employers are Required to Pay 3 Days of Sick Leave On or after July 1, 2015, any employee (full-time, part-time and temporary) is entitled to three days of paid sick ...
In a very satisfying ruling by the State Personnel Board, G&A Senior Labor and Employment Law attorney Richard P. Fisher was able to help keep alive our client’s dream of becoming a peace officer. As ...
By: NEWS10 ABC Sacramento 12:42 a.m. PDT August 11, 2015 Video at the link: https://www.news10.net/story/news/local/california/2015/08/11/families-sue-cal-fire--death-benefits/31448457/ Pilots take to the air and provide aerial support for raging wildfires, putting their lives on the line every time they go ...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2015 CONTACT: Paul Q. Goyette, President and CEO, Goyette & Associates, Inc. (916) 851-1900 goyettep@goyette-assoc.com CAL FIRE EXECS HIDE MANDATORY SURVIVORS BENEFIT FROM 14 FIREFIGHTER PILOT’S FAMILIES Sacramento, CA – For ...
Nationwide there is a growing movement in open labor negotiations to the public so they can observe and see exactly how the local Government entity is spending the local tax payer dollar. While this may ...
As an employer, it is important to pay overtime to your eligible employees at the correct rate and at the proper time when overtime hours are worked in order to reduce your liabilities and avoid ...
The US Supreme Court recently made a decision that may have a significant impact on the obligation of employers to pay retirement health care benefits under collective bargaining agreements. While underfunded public employee pensions capture most of ...
California Medical Facility (CMF), Correctional Business Manager, Collette Preszler-Riley was found not guilty of all felony workers' Compensation fraud charges by a Solano County Jury on January 21st, 2015. Ms. Preszler-Riley’s lead trial counsel was ...
As a follow up to the post on our Blog in early October, which described the U.S. Supreme Court hearing oral argument on a case involving whether the employer had to pay employees for post-shift ...
A very informative article recently published in the New York Times and summarizing the variety of issues surrounding the decline in the number of ‘volunteer firefighters’ can be accessed HERE. One critical issue is only ...
After several days of arbitration, David J. Garcia of Goyette & Associates was successful in obtaining an order that overturned the termination of Yuba County Correctional Officer Elijah Etchegoin. This matter began when ...
A court ruling on Tuesday striking down job protections for teachers in California deals a sharp blow to unions Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/california-teachers-tenure-vergara-ruling-unions-107656.html#ixzz34XdDVmNm
ROSEVILLE - A former Roseville police officer is suing the department, claiming she was unfairly fired after an extramarital affair with another officer. The lawsuit claims former officer Janelle Perez engaged in an affair with ...
G&A is excited to assist the Napa Independent City Employees to regain local control and retain superior representation. City employees to vote on union affiliation.