Though technological innovation is always happening, in the past year there has been an almost inescapable reference to a decades-old science fiction term: AI, or Artificial Intelligence. Seen as a watershed moment of research and development in the past, AI is now a buzzword for content creation, software features, and product design. Whether you are
Workplace
The Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Tools and Technology and the Duty to Bargain
The Fourth Industrial Revolution will be an age of automation and analytics powered by Artificial Intelligence (“AI”). It promises futuristic realities with deep-level analytics, next-level automation, and omnipresent algorithmic workplace monitoring.
As AI tools and technology becomes more affordable and widely available, it is likely that public agencies, like other employers, will adopt AI in…
California Modifies Regulation for Considering Criminal History in Employment Decisions
The California Civil Rights Department recently modified the regulation (2 CCR § 11017.1) associated with California’s Fair Chance Act. The regulation addresses an employer’s restrictions and obligations for considering an applicant or employee’s criminal history. The modified regulation took effect on October 1, 2023.
Employers should be aware of the modifications to this…
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…
Enhancing Workplace “Vibes” for the New Gen Z
The newest generational wave, Generation Z or “Gen Z,” has now entered the workplace, and according to NPR, they are on track to be one of the most diverse generations in U.S. history. While Gen Zs share many traits with Millennials, they also bring with them unique characteristics, needs, attributes, and work style. For example,…
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…
Face It, Face Covering Policies Do Not Muzzle First Amendment Rights
Masks and face coverings have become part of the “new normal” for everyday life since the coronavirus pandemic began. As worksites continue to reopen across California, public employers have implemented face-covering policies based on recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Equal Employment Opportunity…
Dating in the Workplace: Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, If Coworkers Date, You Might Be Sued
With Valentine’s Day upon us, cupid may have left a few arrows in the workplace. People spend a lot of time with coworkers, including time at work and at social events, so it is not unheard of for workplace relationships to evolve into romantic relationships. A U.S. workforce study found that 36 percent of workers…
Tattoos. Piercings. The Workplace. Like it or Not, the Millennials are the Future Workforce.
This post was authored by Stefanie K. Vaudreuil.
Keeping track of monikers for the generations since World War II can be puzzling. You have Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials, but the Millennials are also known as Generation Y. Just who are these Millennials? They were born in the 80s—enough said. The Millennials have…
Political Discussions in the Workplace
Even though the 2016 Presidential election is almost four months in the rear view mirror, controversy continues, with the news each day describing what looks like a three ring circus in Washington D.C. Pundits have opined that our country is polarized by politics as never before: cities vs. rural areas; college educated vs. high school…