California - General

Bill pending in the California legislature would implement the following if signed into law:

In this episode, Jen reminds you to choose law-related vendors familiar with California’s many idiosyncrasies.

By: New Golden State Law To Create Gold Rush Litigation Testing Non-Compete Agreements For over two decades, California law concluded non-compete agreements are not enforceable in the context of employment, Edwards v. Anderson , 44 Cal.4th 937 (2008) and even created a public policy claim against em

On September 1, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 699 into law, prohibiting employers from entering into or attempting to enforce noncompete agreements, which are void under state law. Meanwhile, another bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 1076 , which would reinforce the state’s b

A new state law (SB 699) extends the reach of California’s restriction on non-competes to contracts signed out of state. SB 699 creates a private right of action for employees whose agreements include restrictive covenants and provides for attorney fees for any current, former, or even prospective e

As the September 14, 2023, deadline to pass bills during the current session of the California Legislature fast approaches, the California Senate and Assembly are considering several employment law bills. Many are likely to pass. Below is a summary of some of the more significant bills.

On August 28, 2023, California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-15) announced last-minute amendments to Senate Bill (SB) No. 553. SB 553, if enacted, would require virtually every employer in California to adopt comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans, starting on July 1, 2024.

By: On The Horizon: California Bill Seeks To Ban Caste-Based Discrimination California is likely to become the first state to explicitly ban caste-based discrimination in the context of employment, housing, and public schools. SB 403 seeks to amend the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), along w

The California Civil Rights Council recently amended the regulations interpreting California’s 2018 Fair Chance Act, which go into effect October 1, 2023. The new regulations add restrictions, make clarifications, and significantly change the California background check process.

The California Supreme Court issued a ruling this week that expands the definition of employer under the state’s main discrimination statute, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This expansion not only increases the number of defendants that can be swept into a FEHA action, but it may also

By: California’s FEHA Liability Extends to Service Providers A recent unanimous California Supreme Court decision makes clear that when third-party entities provide services to employers with California applicants and/or employees, they may risk being held liable under the FEHA. Employer Liability U

Recent developments raise questions about post-pandemic voluntary work-from-home agreements and reimbursements for work-at-home expenses. This is our monthly blog providing California employers with wage and hour compliance tips and best practices. When the pandemic initially hit, most California em

By: Los Angeles’ New Requirements For Work With Independent Contractors By: Los Angeles’ New Requirements For Work With Independent Contractors California has gone to great lengths to limit independent contractor relationships and recently, the City of Los Angeles, created additional hurdles to the

The California Civil Rights Department has approved proposed changes to the regulations applicable to the use of an applicant’s criminal history in making employment decisions. The revised regulations are effective on October 1, 2023.

On June 28, 2023, the California Second District Court of Appeal issued a decision interpreting the scope of California Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.98(a)(1), a recently amended California statute that requires employers to pay all arbitration costs and fees within 30 days of the due date, o

By: BEWARE: New Requirements for How California Employers May Consider Criminal History In Employment Go Into Effect On October 1, 2023 On October 1, 2023, changes to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) regulations that govern how employers can use information about criminal history in employ

CDF invites you to attend a complimentary one-hour and 15-minute webinar on August 22, 2023 from 10-11:15 a.m. (Pacific Time) of valuable insights and updates on California wage and hour laws, as well as essential best practices for employers to ensure compliance and minimize potential legal risks.

In this episode, Jen explains the complexities of California’s “Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act” sick leave program and why failure to comply with the rules can result in significant wage-hour liability.

The California Civil Rights Council previously issued draft revisions to the Fair Employment and Housing Act’s regulations governing inquiries into and consideration of a job applicant’s criminal history in making hiring decisions. On July 24, 2023, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Coun