Overview: Minimum wage rates have increased in various California cities and counties, including a new $15.00 rate for workers in Los Angeles (city and county).  Employers also need to familiarize themselves with the revised COVID-19 prevention emergency temporary standards, which became effective on June 17, 2021.  Additionally, California employers who do not offer an employer-sponsored [...]

Overview: The paid sick leave protections of SB 95 are similar to prior 2020 legislation, which expired on December 31, 2020.  However, SB 95 applies to employers with more than 25 employees (a big change from 500 or more per the 2020 law) and provides additional reasons for leave, including vaccine-related reasons.  SB 95 takes [...]

Overview: Several new employment-related laws have been enacted, and California employers need to stay current.  These laws address various leave provisions (sick leave, medical leave, child bonding leave, crime victim leave), “no re-hire” provisions in employment-related settlement agreements, timeframe for filing DLSE complaints, attorneys’ fees for whistleblowers, and successor liability for wage/hour judgments.  Savvy California [...]

Overview: There are many new laws for 2021 that California employers must be aware of and potentially take prompt action to comply with.  From COVID-19 related laws (including notice and reporting requirements, workers’ compensation liability presumptions, and handwashing rules for food industry workers) to worker classification issues (employees versus independent contractors), the new laws are [...]

Overview:  Holiday pay is not required by law.  Rather, it is at the discretion of each employer.  If an employer chooses to provide paid time off during the holidays (or extra pay for holidays worked), a clear written policy should set forth the rules and terms.  Any employment practice that disfavors certain employees due to [...]

Overview:   Cal/OSHA recently adopted an emergency standard for COVID-19 prevention in the workplace, effective November 30, 2020.  Significant new requirements have been imposed on California employers, including the requirement to continue paying employees excluded from work for having been exposed to COVID-19.  The emergency regulation will be in effect for 180 days, which may be [...]