Author: James W. Ward

Executive Order Seeks to Eliminate Disparate Impact Discrimination Liability
1965
Posted in Discrimination

Executive Order Seeks to Eliminate Disparate Impact Discrimination Liability

Through executive actions, President Trump has issued orders addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, federal contractor minimum wage and affirmative action obligations, among many others….

Prospective Meal Period Waivers Are Valid
3358
Posted in Meal and Rest Break

Prospective Meal Period Waivers Are Valid

In a recent case, a California Court of Appeal handed employers a rare win, finding nonexempt employees’ written prospective meal waivers — meaning employees signed…

Employers Don’t Have to Provide Indefinite Leave of Absence as Accommodation,
4659
Posted in Disabilities Time Off

Employers Don’t Have to Provide Indefinite Leave of Absence as Accommodation, Court Reaffirms

Managing leaves of absence — like those related to the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and pregnancy disability leave…

EEOC Issues DEI Guidance
2355
Posted in Discrimination

EEOC Issues DEI Guidance

On March 19, 2025, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued two technical assistance documents intended to educate the public about unlawful discrimination related to…

Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Rescinded
2528
Posted in Minimum Wage

Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Rescinded

On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that revoked several previous executive orders issued by former President Joe Biden, including Executive…

Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Regulation Sunsetting
6142
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Regulation Sunsetting

As of today, February 3, 2025, California employers mostly no longer have any COVID-19 prevention regulatory requirements, with the exception of reporting and recording requirements…

Executive Order Requiring Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors Revoked
2556
Posted in Discrimination Workplace Policies

Executive Order Requiring Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors Revoked

Through several significant executive actions, President Donald Trump has begun reshaping the federal administration’s priorities and objectives for the next four years. Among them, he…

New 2025 Employment Laws Reminder!
5750
Posted in General

New 2025 Employment Laws Reminder!

Happy New Year! 2025 brings numerous employment law updates, so here’s a quick reminder of the new changes that employers should be prepared for, including:…

NLRB Decision Makes It Harder to Make Changes in Unionized Workplaces
4069
Posted in Labor Relations

NLRB Decision Makes It Harder to Make Changes in Unionized Workplaces

On December 10, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a decision that will make it harder for employers to make changes to their…

Ninth Circuit Rules Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Exceeded Presidential Authority
2569
Posted in Minimum Wage

Ninth Circuit Rules Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Exceeded Presidential Authority

On November 5, 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal contractor minimum wage mandate, issued under Executive Order 14026, exceeded the…