What’s New in Employment Law?

One of the most difficult questions California employers face is whether an employee’s troubling behavior should be treated as misconduct or as a possible sign of a disability. Respond too quickly with discipline, and an employer may overlook its obligations under the...

Many California employers devoted significant time and resources to complying with California’s workplace violence prevention law before it took effect on July 1, 2024, through SB 553. They drafted Workplace Violence Prevention Plans, trained employees, implemented...

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this week, it’s hard not to think about how much has changed over the past two and a half centuries. The workplace certainly has. The nation’s founders could never have imagined artificial intelligence, remote work, workplace...

A recent episode of Dateline NBC, “Breaking Point,” tells the heartbreaking story of Morgan Fox, a 29-year-old FedEx employee and mother who was murdered outside her home in 2020. Although the episode focuses on the criminal prosecution of her coworker, the facts...

Let's be honest—nobody wakes up excited to attend a Wage & Hour training. We get it. Meal periods, rest breaks, overtime calculations, off-the-clock work, wage statements... it's not exactly thrilling. But here's the reality: a few hours of training today can save...

Last week, I traded email alerts for the sounds of Yellowstone. I saw bison, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, and more — all moving through a vast ecosystem that somehow works without urgency, ego, or inboxes. That sight stayed with me. For leaders, unplugging...

Artificial intelligence is already changing how employers make staffing decisions. Some companies are using AI to improve efficiency. Others are using automation to reduce headcount, delay hiring, or restructure work. California lawmakers are now paying attention....

As election season heats up, employers should expect more political discussion at work, more employee social media activity outside of work, and more tension between employees with strongly held views. For California employers, the issue is not simply whether politics...

California employers already adjusted to the statewide minimum wage increase to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026. Beginning July 1, however, several cities and local jurisdictions will increase their own minimum wage rates, creating another compliance checkpoint for...

Most employers understand their obligation to address harassment by supervisors and coworkers. Fewer appreciate the risk posed by people who do not work for the organization at all, including customers, vendors, contractors, patients, clients, and members of the...