Legal News and Updates
Exempting Employees from Mandatory Vaccinations: What Constitutes a “Sincerely Held” Religious Belief?
As California employers are grappling with whether to require their workforce to get the COVID-19 vaccine, some employees are raising their religious beliefs to opt out of employer-mandated vaccinations. However, it is just not as simple as an employee exclaiming,...
Pandemic Conditions Continue to Test California Employers’ Expense Reimbursement Duties
You may know that Labor Code section 2802 requires employers to reimburse employees for expenses they incur under your direction or request that are reasonably necessary to performing their job. Have you pivoted your reimbursement practices in light of the changed way...
Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace: What’s the Update?
If there’s one thing that every employer in California should know by now, it’s that California labor and employment laws are constantly changing, and that employers must regularly adjust their policies and practices in order to stay compliant. Enter a global...
California Supreme Court Issues Hard-Hitting Decision for Employers: Meal, Rest and Recovery Period Violation Premiums Must Be Paid Based On Employee’s Total Compensation, Not Merely the Hourly Rate
Last week the California Supreme Court in Ferra v. Loews Hollywood Hotel, LLC dealt yet another blow to California employers: whenever an employee misses a meal or rest period, or takes a non-compliant meal or rest period (i.e., one that is late or short), the...
Duggan McHugh Attorneys Selected to 2021 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Congratulations to our attorneys who have been selected to the 2021 List of Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars! Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer...
Avoid discriminatory questions of California job applicants or employees
Employers, beware. While California employers may ask applicants or employees certain questions which they perceive to be polite small talk, some of these questions could actually be unlawful under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) which prohibits...
Detour Ahead: The ABC Test for Independent Contractors Now Applies to the California Trucking Industry
For decades, trucking companies have used independent contractors who drive their own trucks, known as owner-operators, to transport freight. However, this practice is now under threat in California thanks to a recent federal court decision that ruled that...
DMLC has been certified as a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise
Duggan McHugh Law Corporation is proud to announce it has been certified as a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, (WBENC). The certification follows a rigorous process which validates that a business is at...
SB 93: Employers in Airport, Hotel, Janitorial, Event Space, and Other Industries Have New Lay-Off Rehire Obligations
As vaccination rates increase exponentially, and on promises of the economy reopening come June 15, 2021, California employers are starting to increase their staffing levels by hiring. The legislative response to COVID-19 in California is marked by a patchwork of...
New COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave and Notice
Effective March 29, 2021, California employers with more than 25 employees will have to provide Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) to employees unable to work or telework for COVID-related reasons, including attending an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or...