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Employee Rights Employer Responsibilities California

Most countries provide some degree of workplace protection for employees and job applicants. Depending on the jurisdiction, these protections generally include safety precautions and policies, anti-discrimination... more +
Most countries provide some degree of workplace protection for employees and job applicants. Depending on the jurisdiction, these protections generally include safety precautions and policies, anti-discrimination policies, collective bargaining and unionizing rights, meal and rest requirements, minimum wage rules, and medical and family leave rights to name a few. In the United States, the federal framework for employee rights stem from statutes such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In addition, employee rights statutes are implemented and enforced by regulatory authorities such as the EEOC, NLRB, OSHA, and the Department of Labor. Further, many state and local governments provide additional and localized protections for employees that are enforced by local regulatory entities. less -
McManis Faulkner

What Changes Will California Employees See With Paid Leave Laws in 2025?

McManis Faulkner on

In 2025, California is continuing to spearhead efforts to expand employees’ rights. Assembly Bill 2499 (AB 2499), Assembly Bill 2123 (AB 2123), and Senate Bill 1090 (SB 1090) are prime examples of these efforts, providing...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Legislation Grants Authority to California Labor Commissioner to Enforce Labor Code Provisions Related to Gratuities

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California Governor Newsom recently signed Senate Bill (SB) 648, which authorizes the state’s Labor Commissioner to investigate and issue a citation or file a civil action for gratuities taken or withheld in violation of the...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

California Court Upholds Prospective Meal Period Waivers

In a favorable decision for California employers, the Court of Appeal in Bradsbery et al. v. Vicar Operating, Inc., 110 Cal.App.5th 899, affirmed that employers and employees can enter into prospective, written, and revocable...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Building an Exemption: California Construction Employers Allowed to Drug Test for Marijuana

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California prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of off-duty use of marijuana, with some exemptions. One exemption is for “the building and construction trades.” California’s AB 2188 greatly...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Refresher on California’s CROWN Act

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In 2019, California became the first state to pass the CROWN Act—short for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. This legislation prohibits discrimination based on natural hair textures and protective...more

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Clocking in on Los Angeles County’s New Fair Work Week Ordinance

Los Angeles County has joined the ranks of other urban governments, including the City of Los Angeles, that have enacted fair workweek ordinances in attempt to provide workers with more predictable schedules and fairer pay....more

Berkshire

July California Minimum Wage Increases

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On January 1, 2025, California increased their state minimum wage to $16.50 per hour for all employers, regardless of size. While California may have one of the highest state-mandated minimum wages, voters rejected the...more

Husch Blackwell LLP

California Expands Protections for Employees Who Are Victims of Crime or Family Members of Victims: What Employers Need to Know...

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Assembly Bill 2499 (AB 2499), which took effect on January 1, 2025, broadens previous requirements on how California employers treat employees who are victims of violence or who are the family members of victims. The new law...more

Payne & Fears

Employers: How You Present an Arbitration Agreement Is Just as Important as What the Agreement Says

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Employers in California often present new employees with an arbitration agreement, usually at onboarding. Employers often — or at least they should — take great care when drafting arbitration agreements to ensure they comply...more

Cooley LLP

California Publishes New Violence Victims’ Leave and Accommodation Notice

Cooley LLP on

On July 1, 2025, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) issued a new notice of employee rights and an FAQ under AB 2499, a victims’ leave law enacted last year. As described in this December 2024 Cooley alert,...more

Weintraub Tobin

(Podcast) California Employment News: Creating the Report for a Workplace Investigation – Part 4 (Featured)

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In this episode of California Employment News, Lizbeth (Beth) West and Meagan Bainbridge present part four of the Workplace Investigation Series, discussing best practices for effectively memorializing the investigation in a...more

Weintraub Tobin

California Employment News: Creating the Report for a Workplace Investigation – Part 4 (Featured)

Weintraub Tobin on

In this episode of California Employment News, Lizbeth (Beth) West and Meagan Bainbridge present part four of the Workplace Investigation Series, discussing best practices for effectively memorializing the investigation in a...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Notice of Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Right to Leave and Accommodations

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The Civil Rights Department has just released the new required notice for California’s Victim-of-Violence Leave (AB 2499) that took effect on January 1, 2025. It layers fresh obligations onto employers, especially those with...more

Weintraub Tobin

The CA Civil Rights Dept. Issues New Notice on Qualifying Acts of Violence Leave & Accommodation

Weintraub Tobin on

On July 1, 2025, the California Civil Rights Department (“CRD”) issued its new Notice entitled “Survivors Of Violence And Family Members Of Victims Right To Leave And Accommodations.” The new Notice was issued pursuant to...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

California Civil Rights Department Publishes Survivors of Violence’s Right to Leave & Accommodation Notice and FAQ

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

Last year, California expanded victims’ leave provisions with Assembly Bill (AB) 2499. AB 2499 required the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), which is responsible for enforcement of the expanded law, to develop and...more

Greenberg Glusker LLP

Businesses Which Employ Domestic Workers Need to Clean Up Their Safety Practices Upon Expansion of Cal/OSHA Requirements

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Beginning on July 1, 2025, temporary and permanent domestic workers (housecleaners, caregivers, and gardeners) employed by companies in California will be covered by state workplace Cal/OSHA safety and health laws. These...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

California to Regulate Use of AI in Employment Starting October 1, 2025

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Employers are increasingly using Automated Decision Systems (“ADS”) – tools powered by Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and algorithms – to streamline recruitment and manage the employee lifecycle. Uses so far include resume...more

Buchalter

ICE at the Door: Employer Obligation Under California’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act

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As federal immigration enforcement activities continue to impact California workplaces, employers must understand their obligations when presented with requests for employee records. The Immigrant Worker Protection Act...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Cal/OSHA’s Significant Revisions to Proposed Workplace Violence Regulation Would Create More Obligations for More Employers

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The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, has issued significant revisions to its proposed workplace violence regulation. The proposal provides needed clarity for employers but also...more

Snell & Wilmer

Navigating Open-Ended Employee Leave Requests

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Employers regularly face legal challenges, many of which their employees create. Leave can be especially problematic for both employees and employers. Perhaps what causes employers the most tension is an unlimited leave of...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Too Hot to Handle: Don’t Get Burned by Cal/OSHA’s Heat Rules

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

As summer temperatures rise across California, it’s a good time for employers to review their responsibilities under Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention standards. These rules apply to both outdoor and indoor workplaces and...more

Weintraub Tobin

California Employment News: Synthesizing Evidence in a Workplace Investigation – Part 3 (Featured)

Weintraub Tobin on

In this featured episode of California Employment News, Lizbeth (Beth) West and Meagan Bainbridge present part three of the Workplace Investigation Series, discussing how to make reasonable investigative findings once all...more

Weintraub Tobin

California Employment News: Synthesizing Evidence in a Workplace Investigation – Part 3 (Featured)

Weintraub Tobin on

In this featured episode of California Employment News, Lizbeth (Beth) West and Meagan Bainbridge present part three of the Workplace Investigation Series, discussing how to make reasonable investigative findings once all...more

Lewitt Hackman

Preparing for ICE at Work: What California Employers Need to Know

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Amid large-scale deportation protests across the country, President Donald J. Trump recently reinforced his commitment to “delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.” As the administration continues...more

Offit Kurman

The Heat Is On: OSHA’s Proposed Heat Safety Rule Advances with June 16 Hearing

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As summer temperatures soar, so does the urgency for workplace safety measures to protect employees from heat-related illnesses. On July 2, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unveiled its proposed...more

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