Following in the footsteps of the City of Long Beach, the cities of Montebello and Oakland have passed premium pay ordinances mandating additional pay for certain grocery and drug store employees. Premium pay or “hazard pay” for grocery employees seems to be the new trend in COVID-19 regulations. This trend continues despite recent lawsuits
Benjamin A. Tulis
“Hero Pay” Ordinance Passed in City of Long Beach and Likely Coming to a City Near You
COVID-19 cases continue to surge around Southern California, causing the region to remain under the restrictions imposed by the statewide Regional Stay at Home Order longer than previously predicted. In response, local governments are looking for ways to reward the grocery workers who have been deemed essential since the start of the pandemic.
The City…
Proposition 22 Passed – What Does It Mean for the Gig Economy in California?
While some of the 2020 election is still undecided, California voters were fairly definitive in their support of Proposition 22, which will now allow app-based rideshare and delivery companies to hire drivers as independent contractors if various conditions are met.
A key part of Prop 22 provides workers with minimum compensation levels, health insurance…
The California Supreme Court to Decide Dynamex Retroactivity
The California Supreme Court announced that it would decide whether its April 30, 2018 landmark Dynamex decision is retroactive. The Supreme Court’s determination will have a significant impact on companies utilizing independent contractors in California.
In Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County, the California Supreme Court adopted the “ABC Test”…
Assembly Bill Codifying Dynamex Moves Forward, with Notable Exemptions
On March 26, 2019, proposed Assembly Bill 5, which would codify the California Supreme Court’s controversial Dynamex decision, was amended to exempt certain types of licensed workers. Just as noteworthy as the types of workers identified as exempt from the standard are the types of employees who were not identified. For example, the exemption does…
Sick Leave Entitlements on the Rise in CA? A Pending CA Bill Is Looking to Do Just That.
Just three years after the enactment of California’s paid sick leave law under the Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act of 2014 (AB 1522), a new bill has been introduced seeking to increase the amount of sick leave employers must provide employees under California law. The bill, AB 2841, was introduced on February 16, 2018…
Pending California Legislation Alert! Recently Introduced Bill Seeks to Protect Medicinal Marijuana Users from Employment Discrimination in California
Although both medicinal and now recreational consumption of marijuana have been legalized in California, this legalization did not impact an employer’s right to discipline or even terminate employees for marijuana use. That could change for medical marijuana users if a bill pending before the California legislature becomes law. To read the rest of this article,…
Obesity Discrimination Claims Allowed to Proceed Under California Law
Is obesity a disability under California law? Are a supervisor’s alleged “fat remarks” sufficient evidence of disability discrimination? On December 21, 2017, a California Appellate Court published an extensive decision regarding obesity as a disability under California law and issued further guidance on both counts. To read the rest of this blog, please visit this…
City of Santa Monica Minimum Paid Sick Leave Accrual Limits to Increase January 1, 2018
The grace period is over. Effective January 1, 2018, the City of Santa Monica’s minimum cap on accrued sick leave for eligible employees will increase from 40 to 72 hours for businesses with 26 or more employees. The accrual-cap for businesses with 25 or fewer employees will increase from 32 to 40 hours… (to read…
Governor Brown Has Another Opportunity to Expand Parental Leave to Small Businesses in California
The New Parent Leave Act has made it to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk awaiting his signature or veto. Learn more about the bill and the effect it would have on employers if signed at our Disability, Leave & Health Management Blog.