The California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) strikes a balance between the need for privacy in certain records and the people’s interest in transparent government. The reality of the balance is that it may – and often does – weigh heavily upon agencies that must respond to CPRA requests. This blog post discusses several topics related
The DFEH Now Using Technology To Identify Unlawful Job Advertisements
In California, nearly 8 million of the state’s 40 million residents have a criminal record. Research has shown that when individuals with criminal records have access to gainful employment, it helps reduce recidivism. However, these individuals often face barriers to employment.
That is why on October 20, 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment
Public Safety Video Briefing: Police Chief Entitled to Due Process under Employment Agreement – March 2022
Our short Public Safety Video Briefings will tackle cutting-edge issues and core principles relevant to public safety employers. We hope you find these videos useful and thought-provoking.
Key Considerations For Employers When Developing An Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, And Retaliation Policy
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (the FEHA) provides employees with legal protection from harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is the California agency that oversees and enforces the FEHA. As part of its oversight role, DFEH issues guidance to employers to assist in compliance with the FEHA requirements.
Governor Enacts New COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law
On February 9, 2022, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 114[1] into law. The law reauthorizes COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (“SPSL”), providing paid leave entitlements to employees who are unable to work or telework due to a number of qualifying reasons related to COVID-19. The law becomes effective on February 19, 2022 and
Employee Use of CBD Products: Surveying the Legal Landscape For Employers After AB 45
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 45 (“AB 45”) into law on October 6, 2021. AB 45 is landmark legislation for the Cannabidiol (“CBD”) and hemp infused product industry in California. CBD and hemp infused products became widely available across the country following the federal government’s adoption of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Recreational
Summary Judgment Will Be More Difficult For Employers in Whistleblower Cases After California Supreme Court Ruling
On January 27, 2022, the California Supreme Court unanimously decided that the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting analysis that is widely used to determine whether an employment discrimination or retaliation case should be dismissed before trial does not apply to whistleblower retaliation claims brought under California Labor Code section 1102.5. As a result, employers will face a
Legal Obligations in the Event of a COVID-19 Outbreak in the Workplace
In light of the current surge in COVID-19 cases, it is important that employers understand their obligations in the event that there is a COVID-19 outbreak at one of their workplaces.
This blog post is intended to provide an overview of the various statutory and regulatory obligations that employers have during an outbreak so that
New Year, New Updates
The start of the New Year brought with it a new wave of labor and employment legislation that employers should note, including changes to many existing laws. In this blog we’ve summarized a few key new changes that went into effect on January 1, 2022.
1. SB 3: Minimum Wage Increase
The final step increase
Key Points for HR and Risk Managers on Addressing COVID-19 in the Workplace
Over the last two years, Human Resources professionals and Risk Managers have contended with a host of novel issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic. This blog post presents a broad overview of some of the more prominent issues related to COVID-19 in an effort to provide some clarity and perspective to California employers. Liebert Cassidy