Publications
Up-to-date information for employers on topics and issues that may affect workplace operations. The posts are current as of the date of the posting.
WHEN IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COME KNOCKING
It just became more difficult for California employers to comply with federal immigration inspections. The California Legislature and the Governor enacted AB 450 in response to recent federal actions related to illegal immigration. Effective January 1, 2018, employers...
EMPLOYERS PREPARE FOR JANUARY 1 NOW
Several of the new employment laws taking effect on January 1, 2018, require employers to change policies, forms, and procedures. Below is a non-exhaustive summary of key updates to employment documents, notices and postings, policies and employee handbooks, internal...
NEW CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT LAWS FOR 2018 (PART 2)
This article is Part 2 of a two-part series providing an overview of new California employment laws. Several new laws taking effect in 2018 will affect how California employers do business. This two-part article summarizes key changes that employers can expect and...
NEW CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT LAWS FOR 2018 (PART 1)
This article is Part 1 of a two-part series providing an overview of new California employment laws. Several new laws taking effect in 2018 will affect how California employers do business. This two-part article summarizes key changes that employers can expect and...
OBTAINING APPLICANT CRIMINAL HISTORY
California employers use background investigations to obtain useful information about prospective candidates. An applicant’s criminal background is part of that process. However, employers must understand the legal parameters of obtaining and using criminal history....
DRAFTING LAWFUL VACATION POLICIES
California employers do not have to offer employees vacation, or “PTO” (paid time off). Many employers choose to do so, because time away from work not only benefits employees, but also can improve productivity, inspire loyalty, and reduce “burn-out.” Once employers...
FIRING EMPLOYEES WHO SPEAK OUT
Social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter have made it easier for employees to speak publicly to broad audiences. Recent data indicates over three-quarters of American employees access one or more forms of social media. Employers may be wary of their...
“HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT” CREATED BY EMPLOYER’S RESPONSE?
State and federal laws require employers to take appropriate steps to prevent and correct discrimination and harassment. Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic, such as age, disability, race, religion, or sex. Harassment is unlawful if...
NEW ‘NATIONAL ORIGIN’ DISCRIMINATION REGULATIONS
Discriminating against job applicants or employees based on national origin has long been unlawful under both federal and California law. The term “national origin” is not limited to one’s country of birth. But what other characteristics are included within the term?...
2017 CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT ROUNDUP
This article is Part 2 of a two-part series providing an overview of recent California Supreme Court decisions in employment law. We continue below with brief summaries of the California Supreme Court’s key employment law opinions during the past year. We also preview...
HANDLING A VISIT FROM THE LABOR COMMISSIONER
It’s Monday morning. You’ve just settled in when your assistant tells you a representative from the Labor Commissioner’s Office is here to speak with you. What do you do? Panic and run! The best answer is C.Chase him out of the building, shouting that he’s not...
2017 CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT ROUNDUP
This article is Part 1 of a two-part series providing an overview of recent California Supreme Court decisions in employment law. The California Supreme Court issued several decisions during the past year that may affect California employers. We summarize the most...