The material on this website is provided by Beeson, Tayer & Bodine for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the information presented. Some of the articles are updated periodically, and are marked with the date of the last update. Again, readers should consult with their own legal counsel for the most current information and to obtain professional advice before acting on any of the information presented.
BTB Annual Legislative Roundup – Part One of Two
January 18, 2019 by Christopher Hammer, Stephanie Platenkamp, Lorrie Bradley, Sarah Kanbar, Kena Cador and Tony Rice
The California Legislature passed several important labor and employment bills during the 2018 session that Governor Brown recently signed into law. Here is a brief summary of the most notable changes grouped by subject. All… Read More
No Union Buttons for Courthouse Employees
January 10, 2019 by Kena Cador
A California Court of Appeal ruled last month that the judiciary’s desire to appear neutral outweighs an employee’s interest in wearing union buttons and regalia. Superior Court of Fresno County v. Public Employment Relations Board…. Read More
Governor Signs Trio of New Anti-Harassment Laws
October 24, 2018 by Andrew Baker
Governor Brown on September 30 signed three new bills addressing sexual harassment in the workplace. Significant features of the three bills, all of which are effective January 1, 2019, include the following.New Training: SB 1343… Read More
Business Operator Individually Liable for Wage & Hour Penalties After Business Goes Bankrupt
October 18, 2018 by Andrew Baker
A California Court of Appeal ruled last month that former employees of an Italian restaurant that went bankrupt after trial may recover from the restaurant’s operator civil penalties and attorneys’ fees for wage and hour… Read More
NLRB Orders Employer to Rescind Enrollment in E-Verify
September 20, 2018 by Andrew Baker
Employers are permitted, but not obligated, to enroll in the federal government’s E-Verify program to confirm that employees are authorized to work in the U.S. Because enrollment in the E-Verify program is discretionary, not mandatory,… Read More
Labor Day 2018 – Business As Usual Will Not Work
August 31, 2018 by Andrew Baker
The 2016 Trump election, expanding income inequality, and deep dissatisfaction with the economy, notwithstanding historic low unemployment rates, signal troubled times, and times for big thinking and big action for change. This goes for labor… Read More
California Supreme Court Rejects “De Minimis” Defense to Wage Claims
July 31, 2018 by Lorrie Bradley
The California Supreme Court recently expanded the ability of workers to recover unpaid wages even if the unpaid time occurs in small amounts. Troester v. Starbucks Corp. (Cal. Supreme Court case no. S234969, July 26,… Read More
PERB Rules Employees May Use Employer Email for Union Communications
July 16, 2018 by Christopher Hammer
PERB, which has jurisdiction over most of California’s public sector employment, has adopted the same rule currently utilized by the NLRB for employee use of employer email systems.In 2014, the NLRB ruled in Purple Communications… Read More
LABOR GETS IMMEDIATE HELP FROM LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR TO DEAL WITH JANUS FALLOUT
July 3, 2018 by John C. Provost
The Supreme Court issued its Janus decision, allowing public employees to opt out of paying fair share fees, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time June 27. By early afternoon the same day, right wing anti-union organizations… Read More
Cal Supreme Court Deals Blow to the “Independent Contractor” Scam
May 3, 2018 by Andrew Baker
On April 30, the California Supreme Court issued a crushing blow to the “gig economy.” In Dynamex Operations West v. Lee, the Court imposed a standard that will make it much harder for Uber and… Read More
