Observing troubling behavior does not automatically mean an employer is legally deemed to know an employee has a protected disability.
Labor and Workforce Development Agency proposes new PAGA regulations implementing 2024 reforms, adding filing, cure, and settlement rules that may increase structure—but not reduce risk.
California employers: Start 2026 compliant. Learn key new employment and business laws taking effect this year, plus practical steps to stay ahead.
California’s 2026 minimum wage laws create complex compliance risks as local and industry rules exceed the state rate. Learn how employers can avoid liability.
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. and Michael J. Bruskin, Esq. On May 27, 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signed a set of amendments to local wage and employment ordinances impacting Hotel Workers in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games being hosted in Los Angeles....
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. and Michael J. Bruskin, Esq. Election Day is coming up! California Employers must post a notice informing employees of their paid-time-off-to-vote rights no later than October 26. Below is all the information you’ll need to stay...
Good News for California Employers! California Gov. Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2288 and Senate Bill (SB) 92, significantly reforming the 20-year-old Private Attorneys General Act of 2004
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. and Michael J. Bruskin, Esq. In 2023, Governor Newsom signed SB553, codified as California Labor Code §6401.9, a first-of-its-kind general workplace violence prevention law that applies across all industries and to nearly all employers...
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. and Michael J. Bruskin, Esq. California Employers with 100 or more employees must report their 2023 employee pay data to the state no later than May 8, 2024. Updates published this year include new required data fields. Fortunately,...
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. and Michael J. Bruskin, Esq. On October 4, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 616 authorizing the expansion of California’s Paid Sick Leave law, the Healthy Workers Healthy Families Act of 2014. The new bill includes notable...
California Supreme Court’s Adolph v. Uber ruling reshapes PAGA standing after arbitration, rejecting Viking River and impacting employer litigation strategy.
This is the second article of a two-part series. With social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn becoming an increasingly cost-effective form of advertising, it is common for businesses to hire in-house social media managers. Here are two areas to...
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new emergency temporary standard which would soon require all covered employers with 100 or more employees to either require its workforce to receive mandatory vaccinations against COVID-19...
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. Employers and employees have long disputed the validity and lawfulness of employment-related arbitration agreements in California. On September 15, 2021 in Chamber of Commerce v. Bonta (No. 20-15291, 2021 WL 4187860 (9th Cir. Sept. 15,...
The ETS is expected to mandate that private businesses with 100 or more employees require their workforces to become fully vaccinated or test negative for COVID
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. On August 5, 2021, California’s Department of Public Health issued a Statewide Order (the “Order”) mandating that Workers in covered Health Care Facilities[1] receive their first dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine or their second dose...
California Supreme Court rules meal and rest break premiums must be paid at the regular rate of compensation, including nondiscretionary pay, retroactively.
Employers are no longer obligated to provide FFCRA paid leave to employees, despite the common belief that these entitlements would be extended into 2021.
California Department of Public Health Reduces Quarantine Period for Asymptomatic Exposures and Certain Critical Infrastructure Workers
On September 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation that will expand the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), significantly impacting both small and large California employers across the board.
The new supplemental COVID-19 paid sick leave (CPSL) law essentially aims to fill the gaps left by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
These FAQs explain eligibility for qualifying for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) relative to the varied formats and schedules schools have announced as they reopen
On July 1, 2020 California localities increased their minimum wage requirements
Executive order creates a rebuttable presumption that employees who contract COVID-19 at work qualify for workers’ compensation benefits
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. Likely not a surprise to California employers, the California Supreme Court has once again ruled on the side of the employees in Kim v. Reins International California, Inc. On March 12, 2020, the Court held that even after an employee...
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. The emergency nature of recent COVID-19 related legislation has left many employers with questions. This update will focus on new guidance provided by state and federal governmental agencies regarding the use of the federal Families...
A federal court temporarily blocks enforcement of California’s AB 51, allowing employers to continue mandatory arbitration agreements—for now.
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. As we ring in a new year and a new decade, California employers will be faced with a number of important new laws. Following are some key employment laws that will take effect this coming year: Sexual Harassment Training (SB 530): Last...
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. On July 3, 2019, California became the first state to ban discrimination against natural hair, including afros, braids, twists, and dreadlocks. Introduced by Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, Senate Bill 188 (SB 188) aims to “Create a Respectful...
Along with the rise in temperatures, so goes the minimum wage for many California employees. Although the state minimum wage remains $11.00 per hour for small employers (25 or fewer employees) and $12.00 per hour for large employers (26 or more employees), as of July...
By Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. On Apr. 24, 2019, in a split 5-4 decision in Lamps Plus, Inc. v. Varela , No. 17-988, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) held that courts may not compel class action arbitration unless the parties expressly state their clear intent to...
On March 7, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new proposed rule that would increase the white-collar salary threshold for exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the current $23,660 to $35,308 per year. The DOL reports this...
On February 4, 2019, in Ward v. Tilly’s, Inc., the California Court of Appeal held employees were due reporting time pay for calling in to work before the start of their shifts to see if they were needed to come in even if they never physically reported to work. Each...
As we ring in the new year, California employers should prepare for a number of new laws.
On April 9, 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that employers may no longer consider an employee’s prior salary, either alone or combined with other factors, to justify gender-based pay disparities. However, the Court noted that this new...
by Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. By September 18, 2017, employers must use a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which was revised on July 17, 2017 (Form 7/17/2017 N). Until then, employers can continue using the recently revised Form 11/14/16...
By: Jaimee K. Wellerstein, Esq. July Means Numerous Increases To Local Minimum Wage Ordinances! The California state minimum wage will remain intact at $10.50 an hour for employers with 26 or more employees until 2018. However, there are many local minimum wage...
The case of Blackwell v. Vasilas serves as an important reminder to homeowners to make sure that they hire a licensed contractor.
