Recent Blog Posts
Top Ten 2025 Labor and Employment Law Updates
1. Increase in Minimum Wage As of January 1, 2025, the minimum wage laws in California require employer to increase from $16.00 per hour to $16.50 per hour as minimum pay for all employees. This increase in minimum wage means that exempt employees in California must earn a minimum annual salary of $68,640 per… Read More »
New Employment Ordinance Takes Effect in Los Angeles County (Fair Chance Law)
Effective September 3, 2024, the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) officially took effect in Los Angeles County. The local ordinance is designed as a complement to California’s so-called “Ban the Box” regulations and it applies to employers with locations or employees in the Los Angeles County. It is crucial that all employers… Read More »
California’s PAGA Reform Emphasizes Importance of Proactive Labor Violation Cure by Employers
The California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is a state law that allows workers to sue employers directly for Labor Code violations, on behalf of themselves and other “aggrieved employees.” Businesses and organizations have struggled to navigate this law because relatively minor violations can result in serious liability and penalties. On July 1, 2024,… Read More »
California Company Will Pay More than $100,000 to Resolve Hiring Discrimination Case (a Good Lesson for Employers)
On June 4, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) confirmed that Arakelian Enterprises Inc.—a California-based waste collection and recycling company—will pay more than $100,000 to resolve a hiring discrimination case. The company, a federal contractor subjected to heightened standards, was sued for discriminating against female job applicants. Here, our California employment lawyer discusses the… Read More »
California Employers to Finalize Workplace Violence Prevention Plan
Virtually all businesses and organizations in California—regardless of their size—must have a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan in place by July 1, 2024. However, it’s not too late. Employers that do not currently have a workplace violence prevention plan in place, should create and implement one to comply with the new legal requirement. Here,… Read More »
Employer Prevails in Major Case in California: No Monetary Penalties if Reasonable, Good Faith Dispute Over Wages
On May 6, 2024, the California Supreme Court issued a decision in favor of employers. In the case of Naranjo v. Spectrum Sec. Servs., Inc., the state’s top court found that employers are not liable for monetary penalties if there is a reasonable and good faith dispute over whether wages were owed to an… Read More »
Medical Records and Disability Accommodations: A Guide for Employers in California
There are federal and state laws in place to protect disabled job applicants and employees. An employer in California may be required to provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified disabled worker who can perform the essential functions of a job position. Employers can request medical records from employees who are seeking a reasonable accommodation—but… Read More »
Can Employers Require Uniforms and Dress Codes?
Employers in California often want to require employees to wear uniforms or to abide by certain dress codes, which may also include personal grooming standards. If you want to require your employees to wear specific uniforms while they perform their work duties, or if you want to create a dress code or personal grooming… Read More »
What are the Sexual Harassment Training Requirements for Employers in California?
California has some of the most comprehensive workplace sexual harassment training requirements in the entire country. Under California law (Government Code section 12950.1), “an employer having five or more employees” is subject to sexual harassment training standards. Within this article, our Riverside County employment lawyer provides a guide to sexual harassment training requirements for… Read More »
Employment Law News: Major Deal Reached to Reform PAGA in California
On June 18, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders announced that they had reached a comprehensive deal to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). This reform is, potentially, good news for employers in California—as PAGA liability has increased dramatically in recent years. Here, our California employment lawyer provides an overview of… Read More »