Kike Flowers worked as a cashier for "Churros and Drinks" $($C&D$),$ a well$-$known coffee shop and bakery in Long Beach, CA$.$ C&D is known for being the "after party" spot for young people on the weekends as they offer a "good$-$vibe and relaxing" atmosphere and are open late, until $3$am$.$

Seven months ago, C&D hired a new manager, Francis Steward.

Kike worked, on average, $48$ hours every week but never received overtime pay. And although Kike always thought that such action was unfair, he never said anything, he worked under the same conditions for the last $3$ years. Seven months ago, under a new manager, Kike decided to say something and asked Francis to be paid overtime for every overtime hour worked from then on$.$

Days after Kike's request, Francis claimed that Kike had been stealing money from the cash register and required him to submit a polygraph test for this purpose. Kike reported Francis to the U$.$S$.$ Department of Labor, which prohibited Francis from requiring Kike to take it$.$

Shortly after that, Kike's wife, Jenny, suffered a major car accident, which required Kike to take care of her on a daily basis. Kike brought Francis a note from Jenny's physician stating that she needed daily care, and took leave of absence for three months.

After those three months, Kike retuned to C&D but was informed that his position had been eliminated because the business wanted to implement "online ordering" and "self$-$service stations" instead of having cashiers to take orders in the near future.

Questions:

$1.$ Discuss if$,$ Kike Flowers was, within his rights, to take time off to care for his wife, Jenny, after her accident. If so$,$ how much time could he have taken? Briefly discuss what governs time off for employees. Refer to content on Chapter $20.$

$2.$ Briefly describe the Federal Unemployment Tax Act $($FUTA$)$ and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act $($COBRA$).$ Let's assume that Kike Flowers is considering applying for unemployment compensation and COBRA. Would he most likely be eligible to receive unemployment and COBRA? Explain your answers, and why or why not Kike would be eligible. Refer to content on Chapter $20.$

$3.$ Provide a definition of employment at will. Would Kike Flowers likely be covered under employment at will? Why or why not? Refer to content on Chapter $20.$

$4.$ Given the scenario described in the case, should C&D had paid overtime wages to Kike Flowers? Why or why not? Explain your rationale. Refer to content on Chapter $20.$