In many cases an employer may be in violation of california labor laws against multiple employees.
Home office reimbursement california. The california labor commissioner s office may also issue a citation against an employer for violating reimbursement obligations under the california labor code. A california court of appeal recently issued a short decision in cochran v. This is an important statute reads. Any amount recovered by the commissioner will be paid to the affected employee.
Because they are now required to use their home internet for work purposes it is covered under ca labor code 2802 and similar state labor codes. Expenses associated with maintaining a home office could also be reimbursable since it is now required to have a physical space at home devoted to company work until the covid 19 restrictions are lifted. The world is a different place today than it was a month ago or even a week ago. On boeing s motion for summary judgment the central district of california held that the expenses associated with working out of a home office were not necessary expenses as a matter of law where participation in the work at home was optional the employer ma de physical workspaces with computers phones and other necessary equipment.
The taxpayer relief act of 1997 included a modification of the irs s definition of principal place of business that will permit a larger number of taxpayers to qualify for the home office deduction. Reimbursement of employee expenses is governed by california labor code section 2802. How to get the home office deduction on taxes in california the tax break has been expanded but make sure you know the rules. An employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties or of his or her obedience to the directions of.
12 2014 that took an expansive view of an employer s obligation to reimburse employees for business expenses. The california occupational safety and health act requires employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace even if the workplace is in the employee s home although an agency inspection is unlikely. And in one case a court found that an employee was entitled to workers compensation benefits when he sustained injuries trimming his hedges while on call. Liability for an injury sustained by an employee while working at home is no different than if the employee had sustained the injury while working in the corporate office.
A telecommuting employee injured in the home office may file a workers compensation claim. Schwan s home services inc b247160 aug. In light of this decision employers should conduct a careful and wide ranging review of their reimbursement. As businesses and individuals try to ascertain what the new normal will look like one thing is clear.