Podcast appearances and mentions of Julie A Su

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken our nation and the state of California in many ways. One of the biggest influences is on our economy causing many people to lose their jobs and their livelihood. Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley is joined by the Secretary of the California and Workforce Development Agency, Julie A. Su. Secretary Su has dedicated her life and career to fighting for civil rights and seeking justice for under privileged communities. In this episode, Chancellor Oakley and Secretary Su discuss the influence the pandemic has had on California’s workforce and economy and how California Community Colleges can contribute to the recovery. Transcript: https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/Podcasts/Transcripts/CCC20036

Questions about the future of work have shifted in this time of pandemic, prompting overdue discussions about workplace health and safety, the unemployment system, health insurance, and fair wages and benefits. What policies can support a thriving future of work? What roles do we want private business to play? And what strategies will build a future of work that addresses long standing inequities and inequalities and provides opportunities for all to thrive? California's Future of Work Commission and Jobs and Recovery Task Force have been working on these questions since before the pandemic and have begun implementing innovative policies to address the critical challenges facing working people in today's economy and tomorrow's. This discussion features Julie A. Su (Secretary, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency), Angela Glover Blackwell (Founder in Residence, PolicyLink; Member, Governor's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery), and moderator Meghan McCarty Carino (Workplace Culture Reporter, Marketplace). The Economic Opportunities Program's Opportunity in America discussion series is taking a pause as we all do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19. But the conversations about the changing landscape of economic opportunity in the US and implications for individuals, families, and communities across the country remain vitally important. We hope you will participate as we bring our discussions to you in virtual formats, and we look forward to your feedback. We are grateful to the Ford Foundation, Prudential Financial, Walmart, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and the Surdna Foundation for their support of this series.

Temecula nail salon cited $1.2 million for misclassification and wage theft of 36 workers The California Labor Commissioner’s Office issued more than $1.2 million in wage theft citations to a Temecula nail salon for misclassifying and failing to properly pay 36 workers. An investigation found that the workers at Young’s Nail Spa were not paid an hourly rate and not paid overtime despite working up to 50 hours a week. “Using misclassification as a business model not only denies workers of their rightful pay, but also gives the employer an unfair advantage over law-abiding businesses,” said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. “California law is clear that if employers pay less than the minimum wage, when they are caught they will be responsible for paying not just the wages owed, but an equivalent amount in liquidated damages plus interest.” The Labor Commissioner’s Office launched its investigation when the Labor and Workforce Development Agency referred the case following notification of a complaint filed through the Private Attorneys General Act. Investigators audited the business records over a 40-month period and determined that 36 workers employed at the salon were paid for each salon service performed instead of the total hours worked. Shifts averaged 9.5 to 10 hours per day but workers were not properly paid for overtime, nor provided proper meal and rest breaks. Young’s Nail Spa also failed to carry valid workers’ compensation insurance coverage during the last three years. The $1,242,227 citation amount includes $670,040 payable to workers and $572,187 in civil penalties. Of the total due to workers, $126,702 is for minimum wage violations plus $17,375 in interest, $144,076 for liquidated damages, $118,825 for failure to pay overtime, $92,492 for not providing final paychecks as required by law, $87,155 for improperly paid rest periods, $65,312 for not providing proper itemized wage statements, and $18,103 for meal period violations. The civil penalties include $207,887 for failure to maintain valid workers’ compensation insurance, $160,000 for misclassifying workers as independent contractors, $104,000 for not providing proper wage statements and $100,300 for penalties associated with the wage violations. Enforcement investigations typically include a payroll audit of the previous three years to determine minimum wage, overtime and other labor law violations, and any payments owed and penalties due are calculated. Civil penalties collected are transferred to the State’s General Fund as required by law. Required  Barbering and Cosmetology Licensees (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/publications/Barbering%20and%20cosmetology%20posting%20notice.pdf) . Source: State of California, Department of Industrial Relations,  News Release No. 2016-65 (https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2018/2018-65.pdf) , July 30, 2018.