Insight & Commentary on California Workplace Law Issues & Developments
Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1034, which extends the exemption from the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) for certain employees in the construction industry until January 1, 2038.
This extension applies to employees in the construction industry who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that meets specific conditions including:
In its recent opinion in Huerta v. CSI Electrical Contractors, the California Supreme Court addressed three inquiries posed by the 9th Circuit. These inquiries specifically relate to the definition of “hours worked” within the context of the California wage order applicable to the construction, drilling, logging, and mining industries, as well as the California labor…
The California Supreme Court issued several important decisions in 2023 about issues such as COVID-19 take-home exposure and arbitrating Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims.
Employers should continue to be aware of several cases pending before the state’s high court. Here are the highlights and what these cases could mean for California employers.
PAGA…
As defined by Labor Code section 350, a “tip” or “gratuity” includes any money that has been paid, given to, or left for an employee by a patron of a business over and above the actual amount due to the business for services rendered. Tips or gratuities are distinguishable from “service charges,” which are amounts…
In June, San Francisco voters approved Proposition G, which created the Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance (PHELO). The ordinance requires private employers to provide paid leave to employees for “public health emergencies.” The ordinance took effect on October 1, 2022. In conjunction with the effective date, San Francisco’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) issued…
In June, San Francisco voters passed Proposition G, a new Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance. The ordinance requires private employers to provide paid leave to employees for “public health emergencies.” The leave ordinance will be in addition to employer-provided paid leave, such as paid sick leave.
The leave ordinance will become operative on October …
On January 1, 2022, California’s statewide minimum wage increased to $15.00 ($14.00 for employers with 25 employees or less). A statewide minimum of $15.00 for all businesses was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2023. However, as a result of rates of inflation of over 7%, a further statutory increase has been triggered…
While April has meant the return to the office for many employees across the state, many are remaining remote despite the lifting of statewide COVID-19 restrictions.
Employers with remote employees in California need to ensure they are complying with the state’s employment laws when it comes to those working from home. For purposes of the…
The Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) has been in the news lately with a proposed state Proposition seeking to reform it, and the Supreme Court taking up a case regarding PAGA and arbitrations. Though recent developments give hope to employers that some limitations will be placed on PAGA claims, the filing of PAGA…
Most employees in San Francisco (and throughout California) receive one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is now considering an ordinance that would broaden the availability of paid sick leave to domestic workers by establishing a “portable” paid sick leave system.
The “Domestic Workers’ Equal…
