Community News and Events

Insights 10.02.23 California lawmakers were pushing an aggressive legislative proposal this year that would have required almost every employer in the state to comply with a workplace violence prevention standard developed with healthcare employers in mind. This was despite the fact that Cal/OSHA had been working on a standard that would apply to general industries. Thankfully for… Read More »

02.28.2024 | UPDATES California recently updated two pamphlets that employers must provide to employees. The new pamphlets are (1) a “Time of Hire Pamphlet” pertaining to workers’ compensation (to be provided at the time of hire) and (2) a “For Your Benefit” pamphlet, pertaining to unemployment insurance (to be provided at the time of an… Read More »

Over the past year, the labor market has gradually slowed from the pandemic hiring highs of 2021 and early 2022. In fact, hiring rates in June of this year were down 21% compared to 2022. According to LinkedIn’s measure of labor market tightness, which looks at the ratio of job openings to active applicants, there is just one… Read More »

Published: Sep 28, 2023 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Beginning in April next year, California’s minimum wage for the state’s 500,000 fast-food workers will increase to $20 per hour – the average hourly wage for fast-food workers in 2022 was $16.21. Through the Fast Food Council, workers will have a stronger say in setting minimum wages and working conditions,… Read More »

Below is an update on the fate of these employment law bills so employers will know which ones are slated to become law. The Governor vetoed several noteworthy bills that would have expanded the state’s protected classes, employee work-from-home rights and CalWARN notice requirements. On the other hand, the Governor signed multiple significant employment law… Read More »

On October 4, 2023, Governor Newsom approved a new law, SB 616, that increases the amount of paid sick leave that nearly every employer in California must offer to employees.  Here are five key issues California employers need to understand about the new law and to comply with its requirements: 1. New requirements under SB 616:… Read More »

California employers will need to make changes to their background check and criminal history review process thanks to new Fair Chance Act regulations taking effect October 1. You should begin to prepare now for these new compliance obligations, starting with reviewing our list of seven things you need to know. California’s Fair Chance Act, Explained… Read More »

Today’s the day! Nine months after the previous Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification expired, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published new, revised versions of the Form I-9 documents. Employers should start using these new Form I-9 documents as soon as possible. Employers must use the Form I-9 to verify their employees’ identity and employment authorization. The new Form I-9 (edition date 08/01/23) has… Read More »

A federal appeals court just paved the way for California employers to continue utilizing mandatory arbitration agreements with employees and job applicants. You may be familiar with the litigation roller coaster of California’s Assembly Bill 51 (AB 51), which was slated to take effect January 1, 2020, placing a ban on mandatory arbitration in employment… Read More »

The impact of cannabis on the workplace continues to evolve as more states legalize its recreational use. One such example is increasing protection for workers’ off duty cannabis use. How will these changes affect your workplace? Here is a brief overview on the history of evolving cannabis laws and eight questions to consider when you… Read More »