As we previously reported, on June 3, 2021, California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (“OSHSB”) approved some controversial revisions to its Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”) related to COVID-19. Among...more
In a closely-watched vote, yesterday (June 3, 2021), California’s Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board approved controversial amendments to the Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”) related to COVID-19. If approved...more
The California Court of Appeal has determined that a wrongful discharge claim cannot be based upon an alleged violation of a municipal ordinance. Bruni v. The Edward Thomas Hospitality Corporation....more
On May 18, 2021, Santa Clara County issued a new Order of the Health Officer (the “Order”) that took effect on May 19th. Of particular note, the Order imposes two new obligations: First, it mandates that employers require...more
Last week, New York announced new tax increases that will subject certain of its residents to higher personal income tax rates than even Californians pay. Before the pages on that bill had cooled, the California legislature...more
We have long reported about that modern marvel of well-intentioned legislation gone awry known as the Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) – and we also have noted that in practice, PAGA stands for Pretty-much All Goes to...more
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently updated its Guide to COVID-19 Related Frequently Asked Questions to include wage and hour issues related to employer-mandated COVID-19 tests or vaccinations. ...more
It’s springtime in California! And even as the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, the California legislature is busy, busy, busy passing hundreds of new laws because, after all, you can never get too much of a good...more
Trial Court Properly Dismissed Employee’s CFRA And Disability Discrimination Claims -
Choochagi v. Barracuda Networks, Inc., 60 Cal. App. 5th 444 (2021) -
George Choochagi worked as a technical support manager for...more
3/19/2021
/ ABC Test ,
CA Supreme Court ,
California Family Rights Act (CFRA) ,
Disability Discrimination ,
Employee Definition ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
FEHA ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Over-Time ,
Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) ,
Rest and Meal Break ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour ,
Wrongful Termination
Weeks after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) weighed in, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) recently released updated COVID-19 employment FAQs addressing the permissibility...more
3/19/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
DFEH ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Guidance ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
California’s supplemental paid COVID-19 sick leave expired on December 31, 2020. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) also expired on December 31, 2020. Nevertheless, many local jurisdictions have extended...more
The California Chamber of Commerce and nearly 200 other organizations joined in a January 13 letter to the Governor and the leadership of the state Senate and Assembly, urging them to stave off a growing exodus of businesses...more
Last week, a California federal judge dismissed with leave to amend a claim made against a Nevada company by the spouse of an employee who contracted COVID-19, allegedly at his workplace, and later transmitted the disease to...more
On Thursday, a unanimous California Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Donohue v. AMN Services, LLC, providing answers to two important questions about meal periods: (1) whether it is permissible to round meal...more
Last Thursday, Assembly Bill 1179 was introduced to require California employers with 1,000 or more to provide “backup ” for children under 14. To be eligible for the benefit, employees who work in California would need to...more
The California Supreme Court has denied a petition for writ of mandate filed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The SEIU, which was hoping to unionize Uber and Lyft drivers in the wake of AB 5, argued that...more
Last summer, Nike began requiring its retail employees to wear masks to combat the spread of COVID-19. A few weeks later, Cali Bunn entered one of its San Diego-area stores to purchase some shoes. Ms. Bunn is deaf and, like...more
2/4/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Disability Discrimination ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Hearing-Impaired ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Masks ,
Nike ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Public Accommodation ,
Retailers ,
Workplace Safety
To date, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has not issued relevant guidance regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination programs. Despite the current lack of California-specific information, on...more
On January 26, 2021, a computer programmer and coder named Leah Snyder filed a lawsuit against her former employer (Snyder v. Alight Solutions LLC (8:21-cv-00187)), alleging she was wrongfully terminated after she posted...more
Bank Employee Who Was Harassed By A Customer Can Proceed With Sexual Harassment Claim -
Christian v. Umpqua Bank, 2020 WL 7777882 (9th Cir. 2020) -
Jennifer Christian, a former employee of Umpqua Bank, alleged she was...more
2/1/2021
/ ADEA ,
Age Discrimination ,
CAFA ,
Civil Rights Act ,
Class Action ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Failure to Accommodate ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Gender Discrimination ,
Hostile Environment ,
Jury Verdicts ,
Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Title VII ,
Wage and Hour
SB 973, enacted on September 30, 2020, requires private employers of 100 or more employees (with at least one employee in California) to report pay and demographic data to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)...more
On January 14, 2021, the California Supreme Court decided, at the request of the Ninth Circuit, that its decision in Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court, 4 Cal.5th 903 (2018) applies retroactively. See our...more
On January 14, 2021, the California Supreme Court decided, at the request of the Ninth Circuit, that its decision in Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court, 4 Cal.5th 903 (2018) applies retroactively. Vazquez v....more
From pay equity to an increased minimum wage, pro-worker and pro-union labor policies, and additional anti-discrimination protections, President-elect Biden has touted support for numerous legislative and regulatory proposals...more
1/11/2021
/ ADEA ,
Anti-Discrimination Policies ,
Arbitration Agreements ,
Biden Administration ,
But For Causation ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Minimum Wage ,
NLRB ,
Pay Equity Laws ,
Title VII ,
Wage and Hour
As recently reported by the Los Angeles Times, People, and a slew of other national and local media outlets, famed Beverly Hills restaurant, La Scala, recently faced significant public backlash after sending out invitations...more