Recent Blog Posts
Pregnancy, Parenthood and Job Security Under California’s Leave and Accommodation Laws
Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood can be joyful, stressful, and overwhelming all at once. California law recognizes this and provides some of the strongest protections in the country to ensure that employees can progress through pregnancy, childbirth, and bonding with a new child without sacrificing their careers. These protections come from several overlapping… Read More »
Age Discrimination Beyond 40: Recognizing Subtle Bias in Hiring, Promotions and Layoffs
In today’s workforce, experience and institutional knowledge are invaluable. Yet too often, older employees and job applicants find themselves overlooked or marginalized because of stereotypical assumptions about age. Age discrimination remains one of the most pervasive yet least discussed forms of workplace bias. Both California and federal law prohibit discrimination against workers aged 40… Read More »
Employee Drug Testing for Marijuana After AB 2188: What California Employers and Workers Need to Know
California’s Assembly Bill 2188 reshaped the rules employers must follow when testing applicants and employees for marijuana. The law, effective January 1, 2024, protects employees’ off-duty cannabis use by limiting the kinds of tests employers may rely on and carving out important exemptions where testing remains permissible. Below is a practical guide explaining when… Read More »
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: A New Era of Protections for Pregnant Employees
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) marks a significant step forward in workplace protections for pregnant employees in the United States. Although several existing federal and state laws already prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy, the PWFA fills critical gaps by affirmatively requiring reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. The law took effect on June 27,… Read More »
Supreme Court Unanimously Rules in Favor of Plaintiff in Landmark “Reverse Discrimination” Case
The United States Supreme Court issued a major ruling last month that has the potential to increase employment discrimination claims and litigation in workplaces across the country. While this watershed ruling in one sense ensures a level playing field for all plaintiffs in discrimination claims, it upends long-standing precedent in federal courts when evaluating… Read More »
Baby Bonding: How California and Federal Laws Give You Critical Time to Spend With Your Child After Birth or Adoption
Welcoming a new child into the family is one of life’s most transformative moments. Whether through birth, adoption, or foster care placement, this early period of connection is crucial for both the child and the parents. Medical experts widely agree that bonding time helps newborns develop secure attachments, promotes emotional well-being, and allows parents… Read More »
California’s 2024 PAGA Reforms: Key Changes Wrought in AB 2288, SB 92, and AB 1034
In late June 2024, California’s legislature approved landmark reforms to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) that both strengthen worker protections and curb overly broad lawsuits. PAGA is a state law that allows employees to sue employers on behalf of the state in sort of a “mini-class action” for wage and hour labor law… Read More »
California’s Small Employer Family Leave Mediation Program: Is It Good for Employers and Employees?
California’s employment laws are known for being robust and employee-friendly, but they also place significant responsibilities on employers—especially small businesses. To help balance these obligations with the needs of both employers and employees, the state established the Small Employer Family Leave Mediation Program. This program offers a structured, lower-cost alternative to litigation for disputes… Read More »
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Caste as a Protected Class in Cal State’s Discrimination Policy
In 2022, California State University amended its anti-discrimination and harassment policy to expressly clarify that discrimination based on a person’s caste was prohibited. This change led to a legal challenge by two Hindu professors who argued the new language was unconstitutional. The court, however, decided the professors lacked standing to bring the case and… Read More »
Freelance Worker Protection Act Creates New Rights for Workers, New Responsibilities for Employers
California has long been a trailblazer in labor rights, and its laws continue to evolve to better support workers. One of the more recent developments is the Freelance Worker Protection Act, which aims to create a more equitable environment for freelancers working in California. The new law was introduced by State Senator Scott Weiner… Read More »
