Though it is tempting to move on from the pandemic and to try and forget the deadly illness that started it, COVID-19 looks like it is here to stay in one form or another. As updated on February 16, 2024, the California Department of Public Health reported a 7-day weekly average of 1,882 hospital admissions
remote work
Tips from the Table: Your Remote Work Policy – Important Now More Than Ever
We are excited to continue our video series – Tips from the Table. In these videos, members of LCW’s Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining practice group will provide various tips that can be implemented at your bargaining tables. We hope that you will find these clips informative and helpful in your negotiations.
2023 Legislative Session: Employment Bills to Watch
The 2023 legislative session is well underway, and a number of bills have been introduced that could significantly impact California employers if they become law.
However, we anticipate that at least some of these bills will undergo substantial amendment as they work their way through the Legislature, meaning that, if these bills pass, the new…
Watch Out: Navigating the Legal Risks of Employee Surveillance Software
The height of the COVID-19 pandemic may be behind us, but the many shifts it prompted in workplace dynamics could be here to stay. One such trend is in the spotlight due to a recent New York Times investigative report: an increasing number of employers are utilizing digital monitoring software that can provide a…
Employees Near and Far: Considerations for Telecommuting and Remote Personnel Management
Telecommuting is a wonderful tool. Employees with compatible jobs can work from any location with an internet connection. They gain flexibility through ease of access. Telecommuting can reduce turnover and absenteeism, and modern technology has made remote work increasingly reliable. Yet, like any tool, telecommuting may cause issues if employers do not handle it competently.…
Safe at Work: Staying Compliant Amidst a Changing Workplace
The past two years have challenged employers’ resilience and adaptability in our rapidly-changing workplaces. One such change was the explosion of remote work, which swept across workplaces throughout the country and in some cases, landed a permanent position at the hiring table. As employers adapt to the increasing prevalence of remote work, one important question…
Masks May Come Off, But Is Remote Litigation Here To Stay?
After two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, things are looking optimistic in California. Covid case numbers and hospitalizations are declining and mask requirements are loosening. For many, myself included, this is great news and a much needed “return to normal.” At the same time, however, the pandemic brought some changes to our lives that we…
Prevention, Prevention, Prevention! It’s Time to Audit Your Agency’s Personnel Rules
This article was reviewed in June 2021 and is up-to-date.
Prevention of liability starts with auditing your agency’s personnel rules. Indeed, in an employment-related lawsuit, the applicable personnel rule is often “Exhibit A.” Each year, public agencies face changes to employment laws and regulations, best management practices, and internal changes to procedures. Thus, the outcome…
What To Do When Employees Decline COVID-19 Vaccinations?
One year after the public health emergency caused by COVID-19 began, hope is on the horizon as vaccine production and distribution increases and eligibility criteria for vaccinations expands. With many employees teleworking during the pandemic, employers are starting to consider post-pandemic working arrangements, including the return of employees to the workplace. As employers think about…
Out-of-State Telecommuting During COVID and Beyond
As the COVID pandemic rages on, employees required to work remotely since March 2020 will continue to do so for at least a foreseeable portion of 2021. While a burden for some, the pandemic has opened endless relocation possibilities for others, allowing some remote workers to visit and stay with family, work from a vacation…