Legal News and Updates
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...
Jennifer Duggan is welcomed to the American Board of Trial Advocates
Duggan McHugh Law Corporation congratulates Senior Partner, Jennifer Duggan for being elected as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Admittance into ABOTA requires an attorney possess significant litigation experience, including having tried at...
Job posts: head over heels for these hiring practices
An essential first step in any new employer–employee relationship is the job post itself. Job posts are the gateway to finding employees that best embody the company’s objectives. First impressions are a significant part of how relationships begin, whether they be...
New pay disclosure, recordkeeping and reporting requirements affect some California employers
A number of new laws went into effect in 2023 affecting California employers, including the Pay Transparency Act (SB-1162). This law imposes new requirements for certain employers with regard to pay scale disclosures and pay reporting. The purpose of the law is to...
New employment laws for 2023
The new year brings a host of new labor and employment law obligations for employers. Below is a summary of those we believe to be most relevant to our clients, including: Minimum & Exempt Pay Increase Wage Transparency Expanded CFRA and PSL COVID The new name for...
2023 California minimum wage increase
While employers prepare for the multitude of new laws affecting them in 2023, they should be especially mindful of the increase to minimum wage. Effective January 1, California minimum wage will increase to $15.50 per hour. Currently in 2022, minimum wage for...
From Illegal Conduct to Protected Activity: Cannabis Users Acquire Protected Status Under FEHA in 2024
Beginning January 1, 2024, employees who recreationally use cannabis (marijuana) outside of the workplace will be legally protected in doing so, and cannot be subject to employment actions merely because of their off-duty use of the drug. The new law, Assembly Bill...