In 2019, California passed Assembly Bill (AB) 547, which requires janitorial employers to provide in-person training in preventing sexual violence and harassment at least once every two years. However, due to concerns about safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of these training requirements was paused. The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) announced
Harassment
Understanding Compliance with California’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Requirements
Employers should have a comprehensive plan regarding sexual harassment prevention in the workplace, which includes training for all employees. Under current California law, employers with five or more employees are required to provide two hours of sexual harassment prevention training to supervisors and managers and one hour of sexual harassment prevention training to non-supervisory employees. …
California Supreme Court Holds Statute of Limitations on Failure to Promote Claims Runs When Employee Knows or Reasonably Should Know They Were Denied Promotion
When does the statute of limitations period begin to run on a harassment claim? The California Supreme Court has ruled in Pollock v. Tri-Modal Distribution Services, Inc. that the time to file a cause of action for failure to promote brought under the harassment provision of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”) starts to…
The Basics of Handling Workplace Complaints
While many employers may be familiar with the requirement to provide harassment training, including training regarding the handling of internal complaints, what to do when a complaint is received may be less clear.
Fortunately, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has a harassment prevention guide for California employers.
The DFEH’s guide provides…
Governor Signs Legislation Regarding Sexual Harassment Training Requirements for Minors in the Entertainment Industry
On September 25, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3175, which amends Labor Code section 1700.52 regarding sexual harassment prevention training requirements of age-eligible minors prior to the issuance of entertainment work permits. Previously, Section 1700.52 required a minor and the parent or legal guardian to complete the sexual harassment prevention training in…
California Compliance Deadline for Harassment Prevention Training Still Set for January 1, 2021
In 2018, California law extended anti-harassment training requirements to employers with 5 employees or more and mandated that non-supervisors also receive such training, in addition to supervisors. The original deadline for completion of that training was January 1, 2020. Current California law requires employers with 5 or more employees to provide one (1) hour of…
Can We See an Instant Replay? Video Evidence Affirmed to Support Finding of No Harassment
The California Court of Appeal, in its recent decision in Schmidt, et al. v. Superior Court, County of Ventura 2020 Cal. App. LEXIS 54 (January 22, 2020), affirmed the trial court’s ruling in favor of the employer, the Ventura County Superior Court.
Two court employees alleged that a security guard employed by a private company…
California Prohibits “No Rehire” Provisions In Settlement Agreements
Beginning January 1, 2020, agreements to settle employment disputes may no longer contain “no rehire” provisions, as California passes additional legislation spurred on by the #MeToo movement. California joins Vermont and Oregon as the first states to prohibit “no rehire” provisions in employment settlement agreements.
“No rehire” provisions typically state that a former employee will…
Does Your Sexual Harassment Training Video or Instructor Make Participants Bored or Sleepy?
To ensure your business complies with the law and gets a dose of wellness, Jackson Lewis attorney Pamela Palpallatoc, RYT 200, and certified OfficeYogaTM instructor provides sexual harassment training integrated with yoga stretching, breathing and meditation. Yoga mats, fancy yoga pants, and sweating are all optional. Pamela has experience teaching in workplaces, where…
New California Law Attacks Mandatory Arbitration Again … But Is It More Bark Than Bite?
California has joined a number of states in passing legislation purporting to prohibit mandatory arbitration agreements for sexual harassment and other claims. Such laws have gained popularity in the wake of the #MeToo movement, but are subject to challenge under Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) preemption principles.
Under Assembly Bill 51, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom…