On January 1, 2021, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) expanded in several ways, including that small employers (those with 5 or more employees) must now provide up to 12 workweeks of CFRA leave within a 12-month period to eligible employees. With the expanded applicability of CFRA, it’s important for California employers to be aware
DFEH Releases Family and Medical Leave Tool Kit
By Clarisse C. Petersen on
Posted in Disability and Leave
The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the administrative agency charged with enforcing the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), has released new documentation for Family and Medical Leave that reflects the expansion of CFRA which went into effect on January 1, 2021.
These new documents include the required poster for employers for both Family…
In Case You Missed…California Legislative Changes Coming in 2021
By Kelly D. Gemelli on
Posted in California
2020 has been a year of constant changes for California employers. Here are some big developments that employers cannot afford to miss in 2021.
Expansion of the California Family Rights Act
One of the biggest legislative changes facing California employers in 2021 will be the expansion of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Currently, employers…
New California Law Significantly Expands Employee Entitlement to Family and Medical Leave
By Susan E. Groff & Jennifer S. Grock on
Posted in Disability and Leave
California employers with as few as five employees must provide family and medical leave rights to their employees under a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 17, 2020. The new law significantly expands the state’s existing family and medical leave entitlements and goes into effect on January 1, 2021.
What Employers Need to Know About Wildfires
Posted in California
As fire season starts and some areas of California and several other states are attempting to contain wildfires, employers need to consider their obligations to employees. In some circumstances, employers must implement a variety of controls to protect employees from wildfire smoke, including engineering and administrative controls, or require the use of personal protective equipment…
Governor Already Planning Big Changes to California Leave Laws
By Susan E. Groff on
Posted in Disability and Leave
As California employers continue to grapple with recent legislation effective January 1, California Governor Gavin Newsom is releasing his plans for even more employment legislation. Along with the Governor’s proposed budget, the Governor has announced various “trailer bills.” Trailer bills are measures that accompany the annual state budget that theoretically are necessary to implement the…
California Law Expanding CFRA Rights to Flight Crew Employees Closer to Enactment
By Emilia A. Arutunian on
Posted in Disability and Leave
The California Assembly has passed a bill that would expand the California Family Rights Acts to apply to flight crew employees. Assembly Bill 1748 (AB 1748) has passed through the assembly, and is awaiting the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom.
As the law currently stands, the often atypical work schedules of many flight deck and…
California Extends Paid Family Leave from 6 Weeks to 8 Weeks
By Erin W. Kendrella on
Posted in Disability and Leave
Beginning on July 1, 2020, California will extend the maximum duration of Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits from six weeks to eight weeks. Individuals may receive benefits from California’s state disability insurance (SDI) program:
- To care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or domestic partner.
- To bond with a minor child
…
California Court of Appeal Expands FEHA’s Reasonable Accommodation Requirements to Employees Who are Associated with a Person with Disabilities
By Shane R. Larsen & Cary G. Palmer on
Posted in Disability and Leave, FEHA
In Castro-Ramirez v. Dependable Highway Express, Inc., decided April 4, 2016, the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District held California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who are associated with a person with disabilities.
Plaintiff Luis Castro-Ramirez’s son was in need of a kidney transplant, required daily dialysis, and Ramirez was the only member of his family capable of operating the dialysis machine. Ramirez drove a delivery truck for Dependable Highway Express, Inc. (DHE). When he began his employment in 2010, he informed his supervisor that he needed to be assigned schedules that would permit him to be home in the evening to administer his son’s dialysis.
Continue Reading California Court of Appeal Expands FEHA’s Reasonable Accommodation Requirements to Employees Who are Associated with a Person with Disabilities
What California Retail Employers Need to Know About Accommodating Pregnancy
By Mark S. Askanas & Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Posted in Disability and Leave, FEHA
Navigating the California laws on discrimination and accommodation of pregnant employees is a significant challenge for retail employers. The Golden State’s protections for pregnant employees are many and they differ from those of federal law and of other states.
Pregnancy Disability Leave Law
Under the Pregnancy Disability Leave Law, which applies to employers with at
…