California Labor Commissioner Bradstreet Appointed to Judiciary

Topics: Legal Information

In 2007, Democrat Angela Bradstreet was appointed as Labor Commissioner by Governor Schwarzenegger. Bradstreet did a very good job with limited resources in that position and many California employers thought she was a tough, but fair Labor Commissioner. Bradstreet is well respected for her willingness to take and publish positions that offered some common sense interpretations ofCalifornia wage and hour statutes. Since her appointment, the Labor Commissioner's office has issued important opinion letters on such topics as meal breaks, summer alternative workweeks, payroll debit card usage, partial day deductions for vacation for exempt workers and other topics. These opinion letters offered important guidance on a variety of hot topics. Bradstreet also took an tough stance combatting the underground economy.

Earlier this week, the Governor's office announced that Commissioner Bradstreet has been appointed as a Judge for the San Francisco Superior Court. Bradstreet will likely make an excellent judicial officer and be an asset to the San Francisco Superior Court.Her leadership as Labor Commissioner, including herwillingness to interject moderate and logical interpretations of the wage and hour statutes, will likely be missed. It is not clear at this point exactly whenBradstreet's transition will occur. However, what is clear is that a new Labor Commissioner will be appointed and that the election contest between Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown will play a huge role in how California's wage and hour statutes are interpreted over the next several years.