Author: Matthew J. Roberts, Esq.

6459
Posted in Local Ordinances Minimum Wage

Minimum Wage Increases Coming January 1

As employers gear up for the new laws that take effect January 1, 2022, they can’t forget about the ever-increased minimum wage rates that occur…

4302
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

OSHA Pauses Vaccine Standard Activities Pending Litigation, Creating Uncertainty in California

As previously reported, on November 5, 2021, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published an emergency temporary standard in the Federal Register which…

3745
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

Federal Vaccination Emergency Temporary Standard Released

Editor’s note: Most of the information in this blog is valid, however, the most current information is available in a subsequent blog, titled, “And Just…

4096
Posted in Compensation General

DOL’s New “Dual Jobs” Rule for Tipped Workers

For decades, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has grappled with compensation rules for tipped workers when they perform tasks that are incidental to their…

5455
Posted in Hiring

Employers Take Note: Increased Enforcement of California’s Fair Chance Act

On October 20, 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) announced a new effort to identify and correct violations of California’s Fair Chance Act in…

3610
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Mandatory Vaccination Order Now Covers Direct Care Workers

On August 5, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statewide mandatory vaccination order for most health care facilities. However, certain caregiver…

4011
Posted in Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

Applicants’ Workers’ Comp Claim History Can’t Be Used for Screening

We work in an industry that is at a higher risk for workplace injury. In an effort to keep our workers’ compensation costs lower, can…

8630
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Time Off

COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Expiration Approaches

For nearly the entirety of the pandemic, either the federal or California governments have required most employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees…

ban on mandatory arbitrations
3641
Posted in Hiring Workplace Policies

9th Circuit Allows California’s Ban on Mandatory Arbitrations to Proceed

On September 15, 2021 in a split decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction that prohibited California from…

3024
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

Coming Soon: U.S. Emergency Rule Establishing a Large Employer Vaccination or Testing Mandate

On September 9, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. Department of Labor through its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is working to create an…