On September 27, 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 606, which creates two new categories of Cal/OSHA violations: “enterprise-wide” violations and “egregious” violations. The new law expands Cal/OSHA’s citation authority and could have the effect of greatly increasing the fines employers (especially those large employers with multiple worksites) might be subject to. The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2022.
Continue Reading Legislative Update: Cal/OSHA’s Citation Authority Expanded
As many will recall, the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”) was significantly expanded last year. The CFRA requires most employers grant eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected time off. On September 27, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 1033, which provides that leave must now be granted to eligible employees for the purposes of providing care to a parent-in-law with a serious medical condition.
Continue Reading Legislative Update: Parents-in-Law Now Covered under the CFRA
On September 27, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 1003 into law. AB 1003 adds a new type of grand theft to Penal Code section 487m for an employer’s intentional theft of wages in an amount greater than $950 (from any one employee), or $2,350 (from two or more employees) in a 12-month period. Violations of this new law also carry a potential prison sentence of up to three years. AB 1003 further allows for the recovery of wages through a civil action.
Continue Reading Legislative Update: Intentional Wage Theft Could Result in Criminal Liability
It’s October, and that means the 2020-2021 California legislative session has officially ended, and Governor Newsom has signed many new bills into law. As always, several of these new laws affect employers across the state. Over the next several days/weeks, our employment group will ensure that employers are informed and ready to implement the new laws as 2022 approaches.
Continue Reading Legislative Update: Don’t Toss those Personnel Records Just Yet
As California races towards reopening, employers are receiving (often conflicting) guidance on reopening procedures, especially with respect to when a mask is required for vaccinated individuals. In welcome news, it appears the various state agencies are moving towards more uniform policies, which will greatly relieve employers throughout the State.
Continue Reading To Mask, or Not to Mask? That (at Least in the Employment Context) Is Still a Question
