At our recent masterclass, “Exiting with Confidence: Best Practices for Lawful Terminations and Litigation Prevention,” Anne McWilliams, Caylee Scott, and I went back to basics on one of the highest-risk moments in the employment relationship: the termination. We debated whether a back-to-basics topic would draw interest, but preparing for it reminded me why it is

California is technically an at-will employment state. But practically speaking, that designation comes with so many asterisks that employers who treat at-will as a blank check to terminate anyone at any time are setting themselves up for costly litigation.

Here are five things every California employer needs to understand about the at-will doctrine:

1. At-Will

As we start 2023 it is a perfect time for companies to conduct a California employment law practices audit to ensure that policies are compliant, managers are properly trained, and the company is maintaining the required records for the necessary length of time.  Here are five topics to review in conducting an audit and a

Due to popular demand, my firm is replying our webinar we conducted recently discussing key California employment laws passed in this legislative session.  Attorneys from the firm discuss 5 general areas of new legislation facing California employers:

    • Coronavirus Bills
    • Leaves of Absence Bills
    • Wage and Hour Bills
    • Harassment/Discrimination/Retaliation Bills
    • Minimum wage increases in 2021 on

A California appellate opinion issued yesterday offers a fact pattern and jury verdict familiar to employment counsel: A longtime employee resists a proposed change pushed by his new boss, citing an anxiety disorder; the new boss finds the claimed anxiety a dubious excuse; the boss learns the employee has been moonlighting and potentially using company

As a preview to my Firm’s seminar next Thursday on how to conduct workplace investigations (information and registration is at this link), this Friday’s Five lists five action items employers should utilize when conducting harassment investigations:

1. Selecting the investigator

Employers should take time to train an in-house person who can conduct harassment investigations. 

Employers need to review their compliance with California’s sexual harassment training requirements on a periodic basis.  When doing so, it is a good time to update policies and remind employees about the company’s policies on a routine basis – not just when a complaint is made.  This Friday’s Five provides reminders about sexual harassment training