On September 27, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 1137, which clarifies that the Unruh Civil Rights Act, the provisions of the Education Code prohibiting discrimination in public education, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibit discrimination on the basis not just of individual protected traits, but also on the
FEHA
9th Circuit Provides Important Reminders for Religious Employers
Recently, the 9th Circuit applied, in an unpublished opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court’s broad definition of minister for purposes of the “ministerial exception.” Under the ministerial exception, religious institutions have a First Amendment right “to decide for themselves, free from state interference, matters of church government as well as those of faith and doctrine.”…
Who Are Veterans under California’s FEHA?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring military veterans, who are people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. On this special day, it is also a time to remember workplace protections for veterans, including those currently serving in the military.
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)…
New Legislation Makes Procedural Changes to DFEH Enforcement and Expands Employer Record Retention Requirements
On September 23, 2021, California’s Governor signed Senate Bill 807 (SB 807), which makes procedural modifications to how the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) enforces California’s civil rights laws. The changes include modifying when and how the DFEH can appeal adverse superior court decisions regarding the scope of the DFEH’s power to compel…
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…
Ask a Litigator: What Should Employers Know About the Interactive Process?
As an employer in California, you probably know that the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”) requires employers with five or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with a physical or mental disability. A reasonable accommodation allows an applicant to have an equal opportunity to be considered for the job and…
Starting the Signing-of-Bills Small with AB 3364
On August 31st, the California legislature closed its 2019 – 2020 session with the Assembly and Senate passing over 35 employment-related bills. However, thus far, the only employment-related bill the Governor has signed is Assembly Bill 3364 (“AB 3364”). AB 3364, titled “Judiciary omnibus,” covers a myriad of items from the licensure of…
Judicial Council of California’s Emergency Orders Affecting Employment Actions
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 pandemic on California’s judicial branch, The Judicial Council of California met yesterday and issued emergency rules related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Overall, the Judicial Council of California issued eleven different orders, however, three of them will directly affect employment cases.
Statute of Limitations Tolls for All Civil Actions…
California of Department of Fair Employment and Housing Issues COVID-19 Guidance
As California cases of COVID-19 began to rise in early March, several California administrative agencies released information on COVID-19 employment issues, such as administration of paid sick leave, disability benefits, and unemployment insurance. Yet, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)—the agency charged with enforcement of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA),…
California Bar on Mandatory Arbitration Agreements in Employment Temporarily Enjoined
The State of California has been temporarily enjoined from enforcing Assembly Bill 51’s prohibition on mandatory employment arbitration agreements. Chamber of Commerce of the United States, et al. v. Becerra, et al., No. 2:19-cv-2456 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 30, 2019). Enforcement of Assembly Bill 51 is enjoined until the court can decide the pending…