The California Attorney General’s office yesterday announced that the new state law banning “junk fees” will extend to surcharges at restaurants, marking a significant shift in billing practices in the food industry. Under Senate Bill 478, effective starting July 1, 2024, California restaurants will be prohibited from adding service fees to bills—a practice that
California Proposed “Right To Disconnect” Bill Creates Right to Refuse to Work Overtime
California is the first state to propose restrictions on an employer’s ability to communicate with employees after work hours. AB 2751, currently making its way through the California legislature, would give employees the “right to disconnect.” While this right has been adopted in other countries, such as France, Spain, and Mexico, no state in
February 2024 California Employment Law Roundup
February is off to a fast start for employers on a state and on the Los Angeles local level. This Friday’s Five covers updates on California pay data reporting site, and LA City and County minimum wage announcements, deadline for employers to provide notices to employees who have noncompetition agreements, and updates to the required
Action Items for California Employers To Prepare for 2024
With new legal requirements facing California employers in 2024, this Friday’s Five article focuses on five initial steps that employers can begin implementing now and other employment law deadlines in 2024:
1. Minimum wage and exempt employees salary threshold: Adjust pay levels for increasing minimum wage and ensure exempt employees are paid minimum threshold salaries
AB 497 and the At-Will Doctrine In California
Nearly every state in the U.S. recognizes the at-will employment doctrine, except for Montana. However, a new law taking effect in California on January 1, 2024, erodes the at-will doctrine even more, and when coupled with the ever increasing list of protected activities that employers may not rely upon for employment decisions (which in 2024
California’s Employment Horizon: Navigating New Laws for Employers in 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of California’s labor and employment regulations, the upcoming year promises to bring a fresh set of challenges for employers throughout the state. As we begin to close 2023, it’s imperative for businesses to familiarize themselves with the newest legal mandates and adjustments set to shape the way they operate, hire, and
Understanding the Shift: California’s Ban on Employer Cannabis Inquiries and Testing
Governor Newsom signed a new law this week restricting employers from asking about marijuana use and conducting certain drug tests for applicants and employees. This Friday’s Five covers what the new law means for employers in the context of existing law governing employer’s ability to ask, test, and regulate employee’s use of marijuana in the
California Employers Face Increased Paid Sick Leave Requirements in 2024
On October 4, 2023, Governor Newsom approved a new law, SB 616, that increases the amount of paid sick leave that nearly every employer in California must offer to employees. Here are five key issues California employers need to understand about the new law and to comply with its requirements:
1. New requirements under
From the FAST Act to AB 1228: A New Employment Law Era for Fast Food in California
On September 28, 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 1228 into law, which repealed the FAST Act and implemented new regulations of the fast food industry in California. AB 1228 was amended to reflect the terms of an agreement reached between labor representatives and fast-food companies that was announced on September 10, 2023. We have reported
Most Significant Employment Law Bills Sent to Governor Newsom in 2023
The legislative session has drawn to a close, and a slew of bills now await Governor Newsom’s decision. He has until October 14, 2023, to either sign them into law or veto them. In this week’s Friday Five, we spotlight the five bills, in the author’s view, that could profoundly affect California employers:
1.