Author: James W. Ward

California Supreme Court Clarifies ‘Hours Worked’ Questions
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Posted in Compensation Meal and Rest Break

California Supreme Court Clarifies ‘Hours Worked’ Questions

Recently, the California Supreme Court answered the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ certified wage-and-hour questions, determining, among other things, that the time workers spend in…

Model Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, Resources
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Posted in Workplace Safety

Cal/OSHA Publishes Model Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, Resources

Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 553, creating a new general industry workplace violence prevention standard. As previously reported, effective July 1,…

Wearing “Black Lives Matter” On Uniform Can Be Protected Activity Under NLRA
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Posted in Labor Relations

Wearing “Black Lives Matter” On Uniform Can Be Protected Activity Under NLRA

On February 21, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a decision that an employer violated federal law when it directed an employee to…

999
Posted in Privacy

Privacy Regulations Enforcement Delay Vacated

On February 9, 2024, a California Court of Appeal ordered a lower court to vacate its ruling delaying enforcement of the California Privacy Rights Act…

Pay Data
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Posted in Reporting Requirements

California Annual Pay Data Reporting Opens

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) updated its pay data reporting resources for 2024. Employers should start thinking about their annual pay data reports — due…

CDPH, Cal/OSHA Update COVID-19 Isolation Guidance
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Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

CDPH, Cal/OSHA Update COVID-19 Isolation Guidance

On January 9, 2024, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated it’s COVID-19 isolation guidance, redefining “infectious period” to move away from a standard…

Happy New Year, New Laws 2024
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Posted in General

Happy New Year, New Laws 2024

Happy New Year 2024! The new year brings new employment laws, posters and employment notices for employers. So, grab your favorite winter espresso drink (better…

California’s New Leave of Absence for Reproductive Loss
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Posted in Time Off

California’s New Leave of Absence for Reproductive Loss

California has created another new leave of absence for employers to manage. Starting January 1, 2024, private employers with five or more employees, and all…

New Employment Laws Starting in 2024
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Posted in Compensation COVID-19 (Coronavirus) General Posters and Notices Time Off Workplace Policies Workplace Safety

New Employment Laws Starting in 2024

This year’s legislative session ended with a flurry and, as usual, hundreds of bills were sent to California Governor Newsom’s desk, many of which impact…

Revised California Criminal History Regulations Start October 1
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Posted in Hiring

Revised California Criminal History Regulations Start October 1

In July 2023, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) approved revised regulations relating to the use of criminal history in employment decisions under California’s Fair…