The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) recently issued new guidance for employers to prevent discrimination against transgender employees, who are protected under California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act (“FEHA”). Since 2012, FEHA protection has been extended to include gender identity and gender expression categories, and defines “gender expression” to mean a “person’s gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth.” The DFEH’s new brochure, called “Transgender Rights in the Workplace” (available here), makes clear that employers must allow transgender employees access to restroom, shower, locker room and other such facilities that correspond with their gender identity. It also suggests that providing individual or unisex restrooms, where possible, can enhance privacy for all employees.
Continue Reading DFEH Releases New Guidance Regarding Transgender Employees
Happy New Year (to California Employees)
The year-end holidays tend to be a time when employers and employees are either winding down for the year or making one last big push to close the year strongly. California employers should make time this week, though, to ensure they are ready for the new laws which will take effect in California this Friday
Now Available! Weintraub Tobin’s 2016 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training Schedule
Weintraub Tobin’s 2016 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training schedule is now available. Click here for a copy of the schedule.
If you have any questions on any of our seminars or would like to inquire on private, custom-tailored training, please contact:
Ramona Carrillo
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Fl.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.558.6046
rcarrillo@weintraub.com
California Governor Signs A Bevy Of Employment Laws, Vetoes A Few Others
By: Vida L. Thomas
The 2014/2015 California legislative session may go down as one of the most productive in the state’s history, in terms of legislation passed and signed into law. According to the Associated Press, Governor Brown signed 808 bills, and vetoed 133 others. Lest employers worry that they were left out of the
The Three “H”s of Fall: Halloween, Hot Chocolate, and Handbooks
When people begin to think about cool weather, hot chocolate, Thanksgiving, and this year the constant announcements about El Niño, only one thing always comes to my mind……..
Employer Handbook Season!
Yes, the end of the year always brings a flurry of revisions to employer handbooks. This year is no different. Business owners, general counsel, and human resources professionals throughout California and the County always look at Q4 and ask themselves “when was the last time your employee handbook was updated?” We are assisting many clients right now with their handbooks so that they are poised for a January 1 launch. With the constant changes in California (including the dozens of new bills just signed by the Governor), employer handbooks that are more than a year old can quickly become a huge liability.
Continue Reading The Three “H”s of Fall: Halloween, Hot Chocolate, and Handbooks