Author Archive
CALIFORNIA CORONAVIRUS SICK LEAVE
Cities and Counties Expanding Paid Leave Benefits With the pandemic persisting in California, local governments continue to issue emergency ordinances for workers to supplement Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) benefits. Since our last posting — California Coronavirus Response, Updated – Cities and Counties Requiring Paid Sick Leave Above and Beyond Federal Limits (July 23, 2020) — […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2021 WORKPLACE TIME OUTS
California’s Expanded Family and Medical Leave Significantly Impacts Small Business Under existing law, employers with 50 or more on payroll are required to provide unpaid family and medical leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and those with 20 or more on payroll had to provide unpaid baby-bonding time off under the New Parent […]
SAVED BY THE PROP
Voters Pass Proposition 22; A Reprieve for California’s Gig Economy 58 percent of California voters have approved Proposition 22, allowing Uber, Lyft, PostMates, DoorDash, Instacart, and other gig economy companies to continue classifying their workers as independent contractors. Effective immediately, such drivers are no longer subject to the rigid ABC test first issued in California […]
THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN
We are Pasadena Weekly’s Best Law Firm … Again! For the second year running, our clients, fellow attorneys and other supporters have confirmed we are Pasadena Weekly’s best law firm. Thanks to all Southern California communities for allowing us to serve you since 1998.
CARPE POTESTATUM: SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY
Employee Handbook, Forms & Policies With 2021 Updates Clear and current written workplace policy is the foundation for proper coordination, high morale and consistent productivity. January 2021 will mark another essential point for having and updating these written guidelines, including new and revised policies on COVID-19, family-related leaves, independent contractor definition, and much more. For those who […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2021 CALIFORNIA’S NEWEST INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LAW PART 5
New “Music and Entertainer” Exemption from the Strict “ABC” Test In response to more than a year of meetings, fact-findings and discussions between legislators and the music industry, AB 2257 and new Labor Code 2780, effective September 4, 2020, provide a new music and entertainment industry exemption from the strict “ABC” test for independent contractor classification. Now eligible to […]
LIVE AND LET LIVE
Preventing Political Backlash In the Workplace California employers must not discriminate or retaliate against workers based on political activities, affiliations or speech. California Labor Code section 1101 bans employers from making, adopting or enforcing any rule, regulation or policy that: (i) forbids or prevents employees from engaging or participating in politics, including running for public office; or (ii) […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2021 CALIFORNIA’S NEWEST INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LAW PART 4
Amateur Umpires and Referees Among Expanded “Specified Occupations” Exceptions to Strict Test Purely a product of the political process, Assembly Bill (AB) 2257– through Labor Code section 2783 – has expanded exemptions from the severe “ABC” independent contractor classification test for specific industries/licensed professionals. See, Dodging the Bullet – The Industries and Professions Not Subject to California’s New Independent Contractor Restrictions (October 9, 2020). […]
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 38 FOOD FOR SECOND THOUGHT
Cal/OSHA Fines Supermarkets For COVID-19 Violations On September 30, 2020, Cal/OSHA announced substantial fines against five Los Angeles area supermarkets for failing to update their safety measures adequately to protect their workers from COVID-19. The fined markets, all owned by Kroger Company, were Ralphs stores in Culver City, West Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, and Studio City, […]
WHAT’S NEW IN 2021 CRIME LEAVE SPREADING
California’s Broader Protections for Victim-Related Employee Time Off Effective January 1, 2021, California workers will have expanded protection for crime victim-related leaves. Assembly Bill (AB) 2992. Labor Code section 230 currently prohibits any employer, regardless of size, from terminating, discriminating or retaliating against an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, […]