California eclipses Washington as Amazon's biggest state for jobs, with 153k employees and counting - GeekWire

 Panzer stopped in at GeekWire today. While digging in the posts, our inquisitive kitty found one about Amazon.

 

Maybe a new headquarters in California?

According to the post by Todd Bishop,  while Amazon's employment figures grew in Washington state, California's employment figures is growing even more significantly. The post attributes the increase to the larger number of inhabitants and shoppers in California. Employee numbers are also increasing in other states. Amazon's employment figures increase frequently, so the figures in the post are most likely already inaccurate. Included in the post are charts and graphs of Amazon's employment figures in different U.S. states and globally.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The post compares Amazon's employee figures with Walmart's. Walmart is still larger."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of cocoa and six muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon California employees

What You Need To Know About California's New Law AB-5 Affects on Writers - Writer Beware

Today as our fastidious Panzer was washing the outside of the Panzermobile, he heard crying and shouting coming from the Catosphere. Hopping in the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the Writer Beware site. With no digging at all he found the source of all the angst. A new law in California has major problems for freelance writers in the state.

It's hard enough being a writer. Now this.

According to site owner Victoria Strauss, California has passed a new law aimed at helping 'freelance' workers. The AB-5 law gives freelance workers the benefits of regular employees after certain criteria are met. Because the law includes a limit of 35 'sales' to one company after that limit the freelancer becomes an employee under the law. This is one of the criteria of the law causing freelance writers a problem. Some freelance writers (and illustrators) can satisfy this criteria in six months, if not weeks. The post includes an article published by the Authors Guild explaining the law and its effects on writers.

Panzer says, "If you read all the way to the end of the post in the Update section, you'll see they want to do the same law here where I live in Washington state."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to California AB5 Law

Publishers Brace for California Labor Law Changes - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere when he heard shouting and crying outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise, took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about a new labor law going into effect in California.

It's giving me a headache already.

According to the post by Jason Boog, California has a new labor law going into effect on January 1, 2020. The new law will re-classify many independent workers as employees. Included in the current independent workers categories are authors, editors and illustrators. If these workers are changed to employee status, publishers will be required to pay for unemployment coverage, minimum wages and other benefits. How to determine if an independent contractor will be re-classified and the new rules and exemptions appear to be confusing to some publishers.

Panzer says. "Hmm ... If publishers aren't very, very careful, this could turn into a big pile of kitty do-do for them."

Note: This is a l-o-n-g post. Bring two cups of tea and three muffins for today's reading selection..

To read the post tootle over to California labor law

Amazon expands San Diego Tech Hub and announces plans to create 300 high tech jobs - Press Release

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took him to the Amazon press room. With no digging at all our resourceful kitty found a post about Amazon's newest expansion plans.

According to the Amazon press release, the company will be expanding their San Diego Tech Hub. The expansion will create 300 new employment opportunities for San Diego, California, high tech workers. Amazon has already acquired a new 85,000 sq. ft. office space. There will be a grand opening ceremony on September 6. The post contains links to learn more about Amazon and the plans for the tech hub. The last portion of the post contains the usual history of Amazon.

What exactly is a Tech Hub?

Panzer says, "Hmm ... High tech jobs? This little kitty knows how to use a computer. Maybe I should apply for a job. Oh ... Wait ... I don't live in San Diego."

Note: This is a long-medium post. Bring half a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links too, bring half a thermos of tea and five muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Tech Hub

Amazon May Be Looking to Book Space in L.A. - Los Angeles Business Journal

Hmm ... Is that ll stores now?

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Los Angeles Business Journal site. There our inquisitive kitty found a post about Amazon.

According to the post by Daina Beth Solomon, several real estate individuals have reported that Amazon is considering opening another bricks and mortar store in California. These same real estate individuals say Amazon has expressed interest in the California locations over the past few months. Rumors abound about several Mall locations in and around Los Angeles. The Century City Mall is believed to be the final choice. Amazon spokespersons have not affirmed any of the speculations.

Panzer says, "The sales from Amazon's bricks and mortar stores must be pretty good if they're opening another store so soon."

Note: This is a longish-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and one and a half muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post, tootle over to Amazon