Employment News

This year, Berkeley became the latest California city to enact a “fair workweek” law, which gives workers in certain industries – primarily those who employ hourly workers using floating schedules – the right to receive advance notice of their work schedules and additional compensation if changes are made to their schedule with little notice.  As described in the ordinance, the law is designed to enact and enforce fair and equitable employment scheduling practices that do not unreasonably … [Read more...]

Are you still on the clock in California if your workday is over but you are still waiting to pass an employer-mandated security inspection before heading home?  Yes, under certain conditions, the California Supreme Court said last month in its ruling in Huerta v. CSI Electrical Contractors. The opinion follows similar worker-friendly rulings by the court. In 2020 the court said Apple needed to pay employees for bag searches after the end of their shifts and in 2018 it ruled Starbucks hourly … [Read more...]

It’s been four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a law protecting the rights of California hospitality and building services workers laid off for pandemic-related reasons remains in force, through the end of 2025. The “Right to Recall” law requires employers in these industries to offer job openings that are similar to ones held by workers laid off during the pandemic, based on company seniority. The law defines a “laid-off employee” as one who was employed by the employer … [Read more...]

California employees have new rights and benefits in 2024. Here are some of the most important changes to the law that workers should know about. Paid sick leave expanded and reproductive loss leave granted Starting January 1, California employers are required to provide workers at least five paid sick days, up from three days. In another new law, California employers must now grant employees up to five days off following a “reproductive loss,” which is defined as a miscarriage or … [Read more...]

We told you last year about a disappointing federal appeals court decision that ended an attempt by the California Assembly to ban “forced arbitration” clauses. Workers who sign these clauses can’t take their employer to court to seek remedies and compensation for violations of the law. Under forced arbitration, the employees’ only recourse is a secret proceeding often tilted in favor of the employer. It gets even worse. If your employer required you to sign a mandatory arbitration agreement … [Read more...]