Legal News and Updates
Good News for Employers – Agreement Reached on PAGA Reform
On June 18, 2024, Governor Newsom and legislative leaders announced an agreement on PAGA reform. An overview of the reform can be found here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/06/18/governor-newsom-legislative-leaders-announce-agreement-on-paga-reform/. The overview of the...
Compliance Alert: Most California Employers Must Adopt and Implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan by July 1, 2024
By July 1, 2024, nearly all California employers must adopt and implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP), provide the first round of annual training, and maintain an effective Violent Incident Log. The new law, SB 553, is codified as Labor Code section...
Finally, A Win for California Employers on Hotly Contested Issue of Inaccurate Wage Statement Penalties
Last week, the California Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Naranjo v. Spectrum Security Services, Inc. (No. S279397, May 6, 2024) delivered a rare victory for California employers. The high court held that employers have a viable “good faith” defense to claims...
Religious Belief Accommodations: A Heavier Burden for Employers After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Groff v. DeJoy
On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Groff v. DeJoy, 600 U.S. 447, 143 S. Ct. 2279, 216 L. Ed. 2d 1041 (2023). The decision represents a significant shift in religious accommodation law, including how employers are required to accommodate an...
The In’s N Out’s of California’s New Statewide Minimum Wage Increase for Fast Food Workers
What Employers Should Know About AB 1228 On September 28, 2023, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 1228, the Fast Food Restaurant Industry legislation, which increases the minimum wage for “fast food restaurant employees.” In addition, the legislation establishes a...
Empowering Expectant Employees: The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Paves the Way for Workplace Equality
What Employers Should Know About the Federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a federal civil rights law that went into effect June 27, 2023 and provides additional protections to employees affected by pregnancy or childbirth....
Do employment arbitration agreements apply to claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)?
Arbitration agreements are a staple in employment contracts. They select a clear, cost-effective forum for resolving employment disputes. Earlier this year, the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that employers can require employees to sign mandatory...
Key takeaways from California’s expanded employee leave laws
Employers across California may be subject to numerous changes in employment law that went into effect in January 2023. Several key amendments to the California Family Rights Act grant employees expanded rights with regard to medical and bereavement leave. Here are...
Hush money: The NLRB’s decision in McLaren impacts confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses in severance agreements
Confidentiality provisions are frequently included in severance agreements, as are non-disparagement provisions, which are intended to discourage former employees from making derogatory comments about their employer post-employment. On February 21, 2023, the National...
Sign on the dotted line: California employers get another win with the return of mandatory arbitration agreements
Arbitration agreements have been trending in the courts this past year, and California employers just received another win. Employers once again have the option of requiring employees and applicants to sign arbitration agreements as a condition of employment. On...