California - General

On August 7, 2024, the City of Los Angeles unveiled its “Model Contract” under the Freelance Workers Protections Ordinance (FWPO). This ordinance, which took effect on July 1, 2023, was designed to bolster protections for freelance workers in Los Angeles. Ensure Compliance with California Labor Code

Starting after Labor Day, employers with jobs located in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles, including work-from-home and hybrid positions, must comply with the County’s fair chance hiring ordinance . The ordinance, which imposes obligations well beyond existing federal and state

Earlier this week, California passed bill AB 3234 with ease in both the State Assembly (77-0) and the Senate (36-0). Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill. AB 3234 requires employers who have voluntarily subjected their businesses to social compliance audits to post a clear and obvious

In a recent legal dispute, Mahram v. The Kroger Co., a California Court of Appeal delivered a decision that may have implications for employment arbitration agreements. Although the case at hand involved a consumer transaction, the reasoning used by the court could influence how employment arbitrati

Earlier this month, the California Supreme Court unanimously decided that the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) does not apply to public entities.

Quick Hits These lawsuits make generalized allegations that business websites use software or tools to collect various types of device and browsing information from website visitors and that businesses then share such information with other entities such as social media companies. The claims invoke

On August 15, 2024, the California Supreme Court issued a momentous unanimous decision in Stone v. Alameda Health System (“Stone”), concluding that public employers are exempt from various Labor Code provisions and PAGA penalties. Stone’s Procedural History The former employee-plaintiffs in Stone wo

The California Supreme Court recently upheld Proposition 22, which permits app-based drivers to be classified as independent contractors and not employees. This development is important for other industries as well.

Join Jackson Lewis P.C. attorneys in reviewing critical mid-year updates to California employment law. We will provide overviews of key case rulings, legislation passed thus far in 2024 and what pending legislation California employers should be watching for this legislative season. This program wil

Background: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an extremely broad Final Rule banning most non-competes. As expected, there have been multiple court challenges to the Final Rule, but, to date, no court has issued a nationwide injunction preventing the Final Rule from going into effect, as sche

The San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) requires employers to make certain health care expenditures on behalf of their San Francisco-based employees, even if the employer is not located in the City. Given the complexity of the HCSO, it is advisable to consult with experienced legal c

On July 25, 2024, the Supreme Court of California upheld a state law permitting ride-sharing apps to continue classifying their drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees. The ruling is likely to have a significant impact on the gig economy in the state, preserving the ability of appl

A California appellate court recently denied a motion to compel arbitration, finding the agreement unconscionable in part because it (1) applied to all claims rather than just those arising from employment, (2) was unlimited in duration, and (3) lacked mutuality by requiring the employee to arbitrat

On July 15, 2024, the Supreme Court of California issued a decision that could provide courts in the state with significant discretion to refuse to enforce employment arbitration agreements even if only one term is determined to be unlawful. The court’s opinion also raises doubts about the effective

After years of litigation, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 22, a voter-approved law allowing app-based drivers to work as independent contractors. The Court rejected a challenge by a group of labor unions, which argued that the law violated the state constitution. The Court’s decisio

Beginning in June 2024, California businesses with between 1 and 100 employees may qualify to receive grants of up to $2,000 for each employee who is off work for a reason covered by California’s Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) program. The intent of the PFL Small Business Grant program is to help small b

In this episode, Jen provides a roadmap for addressing leaves of absence.

Executive Summary: On July 1, 2024, the Governor of California signed two pieces of legislation that significantly amended the Private Attorney’s General Act (“PAGA”), a statute which allows an employee, on behalf of the State of California, to sue and recover civil penalties against their employer

Employers with operations in California are all too familiar with how state and local officials continue to restrict the access employers have to public records, including criminal history information.1 For example, lengthy delays in completing standard criminal background checks are now routine in

On July 1, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two complementary bills to reform the Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (PAGA). According to Newsom, “This reform is decades in the making—and it’s a big win for both workers and businesses. It streamlines the current system, improves worker protecti