California’s public labor relations statutes require public employers to respond to a labor union’s requests for information (RFI’s) in a timely manner. In fact, the definition of “meet and confer in good faith” includes the obligation to freely exchange information.
With statutory compliance hanging in the balance, it’s important for employers to know how to
This blog article was authored by Partner Danny Yoo in 2021. It has been reviewed with additional discussion included in August 2025 and is up-to-date.
When working with employees with disabilities, employers need to keep track of various laws that govern whether the employee may be entitled to leaves, accommodation, or even a disability retirement.
During a Starbucks “listening session,” in 2022, in response to an employee’s attempt to discuss the benefits of unionization and Starbucks’ alleged unfair labor practices at other stores, former CEO Howard Schultz proclaimed, “If you’re not happy at Starbucks, you can go work for another company.” The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) held that the
Public agencies often find themselves caught between two important obligations: protecting confidential information and fulfilling legal requirements for transparency. Questions commonly arise about when—and how much—sensitive information can be redacted without running afoul of the law. This blog post addresses some of the most common redaction scenarios involving California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) requests, union
Public agency employers in California are facing increasing pressure to offer competitive, flexible, and legally compliant employee benefits. But there is one foundational document many agencies still overlook or perhaps do not fully understand—the Section 125 cafeteria plan. Without it, certain popular and tax-advantaged benefits cannot be offered, and agencies may inadvertently run afoul of
If your agency is a contracting agency with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), chances are you have heard about the important distinctions between an “employee” and an “independent contractor” under the Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL). Whether an individual is an “employee” or an “independent contractor” determines whether the individual must be enrolled
This blog was originally published in December 2013 but has been reviewed and updated for 2025.
It’s that time of year again to reflect on this year’s achievements and set goals for the new year. With the beginning of 2025 upon us, we encourage managers, supervisors, and human resources personnel to add the following five
Senate Bill (SB) 399, the “California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act” (“Act”), will prohibit compelled attendance at employer-mandated meetings to discuss political and religious matters, including the decision to join or support a labor union. The Act adds the new Labor Code section 1137, and is effective January 1, 2025.
Prohibition Against Employer-Mandated Political
You have probably heard a lot about leaves under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CRFA), and other well-established leave laws, but below are some less common types of leave that employers should recognize and cover in their policies.
SCHOOL ACTIVITY
The Family School Partnership Act provides employees the option
