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.
Remote Out-of-State Employees: Key Considerations
The rise of remote work over the past few years has significantly changed the modern white-collar workplace. Many candidates now view remote work opportunities as a key part of a competitive job offer. Even employers who prefer an on-site workforce may feel...
New Employment Laws For 2023
Fall is a wonderful time of the year marked by pumpkins, cooler temperatures and an array of employment related bills signed into law by Governor Newsom. Below is a brief summary of the key laws impacting the workplace that employers should not ignore. Unless...
California Supreme Court Round Up
The California Supreme Court issued several employment law decisions during the past year. We summarize below the most important of these rulings. Naranjo v. Spectrum Security Services, Inc. Under California law, employers who require a non-exempt employee to work...
Small Business Grant Money for Paid Family Leave
Beginning in June 2022, California businesses with between 1 and 100 employees may qualify to receive grants of up to $2,000 for each employee who is off work for a reason covered by California’s Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) program. The intent of the PFL Small Business...
U.S. Supreme Court Round-Up
During its most recent term, the United States Supreme Court issued eight decisions that may affect California employers. We summarize these rulings below. Vaccine Mandates and Agency Deference On November 5, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“HHS”)...
The Accused’s “Right” to the Complaint in Workplace Investigations
Employers must investigate potential workplace misconduct, particularly when it implicates internal equal employment opportunity policies. The “accused,” or respondent, in such an investigation, understandably needs to know the basis of the complaint against them....
Remote Worker Onboarding Challenges
The increase in remote workers has created many new and unique challenges for employers, one of which is how to onboard workers who never come to an office or job site. California law requires employers to provide specific information to new employees in writing. ...
Small Businesses May Demand Mediation of Family Leave Disputes
In April 2022, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) provided insight about its new pilot mediation program for certain claims under the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”). The program is a significant benefit to “small employers” subject to the...
New COVID-19 Supplemental Sick Leave
On February 9, 2022, Governor Newsom signed SB 114, creating 2022’s version of COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave. The new law took effect on February 19, 2022, is retroactive to January 1, 2022, and expires on September 30, 2022. In addition to understanding the...
Responding to Subpoenas for Employee Records
Even if your company is not involved in litigation, you still may receive a subpoena for a current or former employee’s records. Receiving a subpoena is not necessarily cause for alarm. It simply means that someone needs documents that may be in your company’s...
WAGE-HOUR COMPLIANCE
Wage and hour laws applicable to California employers are complex and ever changing. We briefly summarize below some of the various rules applicable to private sector, non-union employers and explain why wage-hour audits are critical. Sources of Law California...
Preventing Costly Form I-9 Mistakes
Employers know they must confirm the identity and work authorization of each new hire by completing a Form I-9. The Form I-9 is complex, and failure to properly complete it can lead to the imposition of hefty fines by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and...