Author: James W. Ward

California Supreme Court Upholds Proposition 22
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Posted in Independent Contractor

California Supreme Court Upholds Proposition 22

After a lengthy legal challenge that began back in 2021, the California Supreme Court recently ruled that Proposition 22 is constitutional — a significant decision…

Two 2025 Employment Poster Updates Already
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Posted in Posters and Notices

Two 2025 Employment Poster Updates Already

For 2025, employers already have two updated posting requirements, as California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed two bills bringing changes to employers’ workers’ compensation and…

U.S. Supreme Court Reigns in NLRB Ability to Obtain Injunctions
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Posted in Labor Relations

U.S. Supreme Court Reins in NLRB Ability to Obtain Injunctions

In a win for employers, the U.S. Supreme Court recently made it harder for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to obtain injunctive relief against…

Reminder: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) Regulations Start June 18
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Posted in Discrimination

Reminder: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) Regulations Start June 18

On April 19, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published its final rule implementing the 2023 federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). And on…

Good Faith Defense Upheld for Wage Statement Penalties
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Posted in Compensation Meal and Rest Break

Good Faith Defense Upheld for Wage Statement Penalties

In a win for employers, the California Supreme Court recently held that if an employer reasonably and in good faith believed it was providing a…

Lateral Job Transfer Can Be Discriminatory Under Federal Law
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Posted in Discrimination

Supreme Court Says Lateral Job Transfer Can Be Discriminatory Under Federal Law

The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a decision holding that a lateral job transfer can be discriminatory under Title VII when the transfer brought some…

Stock Options Are Not “Wages” in California
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Posted in Compensation

Stock Options Are Not “Wages” in California

In startup businesses, it’s not uncommon for employees to accept less cash compensation in exchange for stock options — the option to buy the company…

Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) Regulations Approved
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Posted in Discrimination

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) Regulations Approved

On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will publish its final rule implementing the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) — a…

Fast Food Minimum Wage Law Exceptions Added
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Posted in Compensation

Fast Food Minimum Wage Law Exceptions Added

On March 25, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 610 (AB 610) — an urgency measure effective upon signing — that creates additional exceptions to…

Cal/OSHA Standards Board Adopts Indoor Heat Illness Standard in Questionable Vote
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Posted in Heat Illness

Cal/OSHA Standards Board Adopts Indoor Heat Illness Standard in Questionable Vote

After some twists and turns, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) recently voted to adopt its proposed indoor heat illness standard. The vote’s…