Healthcare workers are experiencing a significant amount of occupational fatigue, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expecting nurses to work lengthy shifts without the chance to eat a meal or rest leads to exhaustion and can increase the likelihood of medical errors. State senator Steven Bradford authored SB 1334, which sought to guarantee meal and rest periods for public healthcare workers. The bill was sponsored by the California Nurses Association (“CNA”), which has 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California. On September 29, 2022, Governor Newsom signed SB 1334 into law, which adds section 512.1 to the California Labor Code. Continue Reading Meal and Rest Periods for Public Healthcare Workers Now Guaranteed

Existing California law provides employees with the right to take paid and unpaid leaves to care for certain family members when they need the employee’s assistance to obtain medical treatment, diagnosis, or preventative care.  On September 29, 2022, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 1041, which adds a “designated person” to the list of individuals for whom an employee may take California Family Rights Act or use paid sick leave.

Continue Reading CFRA Family Leave and California Paid Sick Leave Expanded to Employees’ “Designated Persons”

On September 18, 2022, the Governor approved AB 2188, which amends the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), California’s employment antidiscrimination law. Beginning on January 1, 2024, it will be unlawful for employers to discriminate against a person in hiring, termination, any term or condition of employment, or otherwise penalize a person for:

Continue Reading New Cannabis Discrimination Protections Coming to a California Workplace in 2024

In this episode of California Employment News, Lizbeth (Beth) West and Meagan Bainbridge present part two of the Workplace Investigation Series, discussing best practices for collecting information during a workplace investigation.

Continue Reading California Employment News: Gathering Information in a Workplace Investigations (Part 2)

In this episode of California Employment News, Lizbeth (Beth) West and Meagan Bainbridge present part one of the Workplace Investigation Series, discussing how to start an investigation following an employee complaint. Continue Reading California Employment News: Starting a Workplace Investigation (Part 1)