The increasing use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) has been transforming the field of human resources by automating tasks, enhancing decision-making, and transforming the roles and responsibilities of employees. In a recent article, Fast Company discusses the 7 major ways that AI will impact the human resources function: AI Automation Will Reimagine Your Job – The… Read More
HR & Employment Law Blog
NY Becomes First State to Mandate Paid Leave for Prenatal Care
On January 1, 2025, all private sector employers in New York will be required to offer 20 hours of paid leave every 52 weeks for employees to attend healthcare appointments during or related to their pregnancy. All employees are eligible for this new benefit, even part-time and recently hired employees. This new paid prenatal leave… Read More
Get Ready — New Employment Laws Coming in 2025
Governor Newsom formally concluded the 2024 legislative session by signing into law several new bills that greatly expand employee rights in California starting on January 1, 2025. Between now and then, California employers should review their existing policies to ensure compliance with these laws in the new year. New State Minimum Wage (Prop 32) On… Read More
New IRS Ruling Gives Employers and Employees More Benefits Flexibility
A recent IRS private letter ruling will potentially allow employees more flexibility to determine how employer 401K contributions are paid out to them.
California Employers Must Display New Whistleblower Rights Poster
Governor Newsom signed AB 2299 which requires all California employers to prominently display a new whistleblower rights poster in the workplace effective January 1, 2025.
Employee Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)
This week Fast Company published an article about employee performance improvement plans (PIPs). A PIP is a structured plan that is developed by the employer for an under-performing employee. In general, a PIP (a) outlines specific areas where the employee is failing to perform satisfactorily, (b) states concrete improvements that the employer expects to see… Read More
Governor Signs PAGA Reform Bills to Ease Burdens on Employers
California’s Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) deputizes any employee who has experienced a violation of virtually any state employment law to sue to recover penalties arising out of violations he or she experienced – plus penalties arising out of violations committed against every one of his or her coworkers, and attorneys’ fees. The potentially massive… Read More
July 1st Deadline for Workplace Violence Prevention Plans
As we blogged about here back in March, this coming Monday, July 1st is the deadline for California employers to have implemented their newly required Workplace Violence Prevention Plans (WVPP). July 1st is also the deadline by which employers must have conducted their first WVPP training with all employees. Cal-OSHA has created a template WVPP… Read More
Court Strikes Down California Anti-Arbitration Statute
The California legislature is notoriously hostile to mandatory arbitration agreements in the employment context. That’s because the legislature believes employers have more negotiating power than employees; thus, the arbitration agreements that employers give to employees often have one-sided terms that heavily favor the employer. The employee often feels that he has little choice and must… Read More
EEOC Updates Workplace Harassment Guidance
Earlier today, for the first time in over 25 years, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its enforcement guidance on unlawful workplace harassment. Though not legally binding, this new guidance makes clear how the EEOC will enforce federal anti-harassment laws under the current administration. The EEOC’s new guidance provides clarity — and… Read More
