Insight & Commentary on California Workplace Law Issues & Developments
On October 10, 2013, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill, A.B. 556, to add “military and veteran status” to the list of categories protected from employment discrimination under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”).
When this bill becomes operative on January 1, 2014, the FEHA will prohibit harassment and discrimination in…
California employers should be prepared to welcome support dogs and other animals into the workplace as a reasonable accommodation for disabled workers requiring support under new disability regulations issued by the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission. The new regulations significantly expand protections for disabled workers and outline new requirements regarding reasonable accommodations, the interactive…
On August 29, 2012, California passed AB 1875. The Bill adds section 2025.290 to the California Code of Civil Procedure, which limits oral depositions in civil litigation to seven hours or less. However, the new law does not apply to cases brought by employees or applicants arising out of or relating to employment. The …
A California Court of Appeal has issued a favorable opinion for employers regarding arbitration agreements. Specifically, the Court held that an employer did not waive its right to enforce an arbitration agreement by waiting to request arbitration until after the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a decision addressing the enforceability of class action waivers in arbitration agreements…
California AB 2396 was recently signed into law which amends existing law governing the employment of minors under 16 years of age in the entertainment industry. Specifically, the amendment addresses the employment of infants under the age of one month on a movie location or set. The bill clarifies that a temporary permit authorizing the infant’s employment…
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed summary judgment in favor of an employer in an age discrimination case. However, not all news is good news regarding the Court’s decision in Schechner v. KPIX-TV, No. 11-15294 (9th Cir. May 29,2012). The Court “clarified” that the employees could use statistical evidence to establish a…
Employers are reminded that the procedure by which they enter into arbitration agreements with their employees is as important as the agreement’s language. A provision in an employment application requiring the applicant, but not the employer, to submit all disputes to arbitration was both procedurally and substantively unconscionable, and therefore unenforceable, the California Court of…
A number of new employment laws signed by California Governor Jerry Brown have made significant changes in California labor and employment law. We suggest employers review their human resources policies and employee handbooks. The new laws are effective January 1, 2012, unless otherwise indicated. We highlight what we believe to be the most significant in California…
Continuing to uphold the enforcement of arbitration agreements, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the California courts’ refusal to enforce class action waivers in consumer arbitration agreements on the ground that the state law is preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act. AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, No. 09-893 (Apr. 27, 2011). The ruling would…
