In this installment of California Employment News, Ryan Abernethy and Nikki Mahmoudi provide an essential overview of California’s Fair Chance Act—also known as the Ban the Box law. Learn what employers need to know about using criminal history in hiring decisions.Continue Reading California Employment News: Fair Chance Act – A Brief Overview of Employment Criminal Background Checks
Discrimination

The DOJ and EEOC Move Forward With Enforcement Of The President’s Executive Order 14173 (aka ANTI-DEI ORDER)
Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed Executive Order 14173 (“Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”) commonly referred to as the “Anti-DEI Order” (hereinafter simply referred to as the “Ex. Order”). Among other things, the Ex. Order directs federal agencies “to combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities.” However, as pointed out by many legal commentators and at least one federal district court, the Ex. Order conspicuously does not define what constitutes an “illegal DEI preference or program.” Continue Reading The DOJ and EEOC Move Forward With Enforcement Of The President’s Executive Order 14173 (aka ANTI-DEI ORDER)

An Update on PAGA Reform from the Trenches – Finally, Some Relief for Employers from Meritless Claims
Last year, we reported on the reforms to the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) that Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on July 1, 2024. The reform legislation was pushed through to avoid a ballot vote on a measure seeking to repeal PAGA entirely in the 2024 election. The legislation was aimed at providing some relief to employers from the flood of meritless PAGA claims and provide mechanisms for early resolution. The legislation also gave the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) the resources and ability to expedite hiring and to fill vacancies in the CA Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) which is the division responsible for PAGA administration and oversight. While the reforms did not appear deter the “serial filer” firms from filing a record number of cases (9,463 PAGA notices were filed in calendar year 2024 – a jump from 8,100 the prior year), we are extremely pleased to report that the LWDA and its new hires, have begun taking a much more active role in these cases at an early stage and cracking down on the worst abusers of the PAGA statutes.Continue Reading An Update on PAGA Reform from the Trenches – Finally, Some Relief for Employers from Meritless Claims
Key Takeaways: SHRM Legal and Compliance 2025 – Workplace Safety and CalOSHA Requirements
In a recent presentation titled Legal & Compliance 2025: Workplace Safety and CalOSHA Requirements, Weintraub shareholder Shauna Correia provided essential updates on California workplace safety laws. The session highlighted new regulations on indoor heat exposure, workplace violence prevention plans, COVID-19 measures, and other safety initiatives to protect employees and ensure compliance.Continue Reading Key Takeaways: SHRM Legal and Compliance 2025 – Workplace Safety and CalOSHA Requirements
California Employment News: AB 2499 – Expanded Rights & Protections for Victims of Violence in the Workplace
California expands employee rights for victims of violence: new leave policies and protections under AB 2499 take effect Jan 1. Weintraub attorneys Meagan Bainbridge and Shauna Correia discuss what employers need to know to update their policies in the latest installment of California Employment News.
Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel