When an employment relationship is "at-will," it means that the employee and the employer can end the relationship at any time, with or without notice, and that the employer can sever the relationship for any lawful reason. Employment relationships are not "at-will"...
Advising And Defending Businesses
Employment Law
What do you do when an employee alleges discrimination?
No matter what precautions you take to try and safeguard your company and your employees from discrimination and harassment, allegations can still arise. When an employee complains, you must ensure that the inquiries you make are conducted properly. Despite your best...
AB 984 Restricts Employers’ Ability to Use Digital License Plates to Track Employees
On September 29, 2022, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 984 into law. Effective January 1, 2023, employers will be prohibited from using “an alternative device equipped with tracking technology” to locate, track, watch, listen to, or otherwise surveil an employee...
Scope of CFRA expanded to include “designated person” effective January 1, 2023
Effective January 1, 2023, the California Family Rights Act ("CFRA") will be expanded to include a "designated person" within the category of persons for whom an employee may take time off to provide care. The term "designated person" is defined in the CFRA to mean...
California Enacts Workplace Protections for Off-the-Clock Use of Cannabis
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 2188 into law, with an effective date of January 1, 2024, which will prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based upon their use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace.
Dealing with a conflict between employees
Your company has a solid core workforce that generally works well together. However, staff members don’t always stick around, and you may be bringing in new additions all the time. Conflicts among employees are always a possibility, especially if they feel aggrieved...
Non-compete provisions in California
Non-compete agreements were largely designed to protect businesses with employees who have unique technical or creative skills and knowledge of the business from taking their knowledge and skills to a direct competitor as soon as they leave. However, often hourly...
Protecting against employment lawsuits with a handbook
Harassment and discrimination lawsuits can cost companies several thousand dollars. Even if the company prevails, the lawsuit can damage its reputation and consume resources. Many companies aspire to have a discrimination-free and harassment-free workplace, but...
What if an employee wants to report you?
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to provide a healthy and safe work environment where workers feel safe reporting issues they experience or see. While a whistleblower in your business may seem like a negative factor, the fact is, it provides you an opportunity...
U.S. Supreme Court: Individual PAGA claims can be arbitrated
The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a favorable decision for California employers in Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana on the issue of whether employers may enforce valid arbitration agreements with employees for claims brought under California's Private...