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.
Employment Law
2017 Legislative Update: Wage and Hour
February 2, 2017 by
Peter McEntee
This legislative session, Governor Brown again signed into law several new labor and employment statutes. Many of the new laws this year expand enforcement tools and strengthen existing protections for employees in areas including leave… Read More
California Supreme Court Bans On-Call Rest Breaks
January 4, 2017 by
Stephanie Platenkamp
The California Supreme Court on December 22, 2016, issued a decision upholding the right of employees to take a duty-free rest break. Augustus v. ABM Security Services, Inc.The case involved a challenge to ABM Security… Read More
New Cal-OSHA Rules Protect Health Care Workers
November 9, 2016 by
Lorrie Bradley
On October 21, 2016, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal-OSHA”) approved new rules requiring employers to take steps to reduce workplace violence against health care workers.Cal-OSHA already requires all employers to develop… Read More
California Ready to Embark on Ambitious Employee Retirement Savings Program
October 17, 2016 by
Andrew Baker
Signed by the Governor on September 29, SB 1234 creates the new California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program, an opt-out, 401(k)-type savings plan for almost all California private-sector employees not already eligible for a retirement… Read More
Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Expand Overtime for Three Groups of Employees
October 10, 2016 by
Peter McEntee
Governor Jerry Brown in September signed three union-supported bills to expand overtime protections for farmworkers, private school teachers, and domestic workers. All three of these new laws will help workers in these important occupations.Farmworkers AB… Read More
Is Accommodation Required for Association with a Disabled Person?
September 28, 2016 by
Dale Brodsky
An employer may be liable under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for firing an employee because of the employee’s association with a person who is disabled or perceived to be disabled, according the… Read More
Ninth Circuit Voids Class Waiver Provision Contained In Arbitration Agreement
August 24, 2016 by
Teague Paterson
In an important victory for workers and worker advocates, this week the Ninth Circuit held that employers may not insist that their employees agree to class action waivers, typically contained in arbitration provisions, because such… Read More
Legislature Extends Authority of Local Governments to Enforce Local Wage Laws
August 16, 2016 by
Christopher Hammer
Wage theft is a serious problem in California. In Los Angeles County alone approximately $26.6 million in wages is stolen from laborers every week. Because wage theft disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in California, including… Read More
NLRB Decision Will Significantly Help Organizing Temporary/Agency Employees
July 15, 2016 by
Sheila Sexton
It has become more and more common over the last 25 years: An employer contracts with an agency for temporary workers to work alongside its regular employees, performing the exact same work. Often the only difference between… Read More
Expanding Income Inequality: More Evidence That We Need Unions Now More Than Ever
June 28, 2016 by
Andrew Baker
A new study by the Urban Institute has found that the upper middle class is at its largest and richest. The study defines upper middle class as a household of three earning between $100,000 and… Read More
2017 Legislative Update: Wage and Hour
February 2, 2017 by Peter McEntee
This legislative session, Governor Brown again signed into law several new labor and employment statutes. Many of the new laws this year expand enforcement tools and strengthen existing protections for employees in areas including leave… Read More
California Supreme Court Bans On-Call Rest Breaks
January 4, 2017 by Stephanie Platenkamp
The California Supreme Court on December 22, 2016, issued a decision upholding the right of employees to take a duty-free rest break. Augustus v. ABM Security Services, Inc.The case involved a challenge to ABM Security… Read More
New Cal-OSHA Rules Protect Health Care Workers
November 9, 2016 by Lorrie Bradley
On October 21, 2016, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal-OSHA”) approved new rules requiring employers to take steps to reduce workplace violence against health care workers.Cal-OSHA already requires all employers to develop… Read More
California Ready to Embark on Ambitious Employee Retirement Savings Program
October 17, 2016 by Andrew Baker
Signed by the Governor on September 29, SB 1234 creates the new California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program, an opt-out, 401(k)-type savings plan for almost all California private-sector employees not already eligible for a retirement… Read More
Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Expand Overtime for Three Groups of Employees
October 10, 2016 by Peter McEntee
Governor Jerry Brown in September signed three union-supported bills to expand overtime protections for farmworkers, private school teachers, and domestic workers. All three of these new laws will help workers in these important occupations.Farmworkers AB… Read More
Is Accommodation Required for Association with a Disabled Person?
September 28, 2016 by Dale Brodsky
An employer may be liable under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) for firing an employee because of the employee’s association with a person who is disabled or perceived to be disabled, according the… Read More
Ninth Circuit Voids Class Waiver Provision Contained In Arbitration Agreement
August 24, 2016 by Teague Paterson
In an important victory for workers and worker advocates, this week the Ninth Circuit held that employers may not insist that their employees agree to class action waivers, typically contained in arbitration provisions, because such… Read More
Legislature Extends Authority of Local Governments to Enforce Local Wage Laws
August 16, 2016 by Christopher Hammer
Wage theft is a serious problem in California. In Los Angeles County alone approximately $26.6 million in wages is stolen from laborers every week. Because wage theft disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in California, including… Read More
NLRB Decision Will Significantly Help Organizing Temporary/Agency Employees
July 15, 2016 by Sheila Sexton
It has become more and more common over the last 25 years: An employer contracts with an agency for temporary workers to work alongside its regular employees, performing the exact same work. Often the only difference between… Read More
Expanding Income Inequality: More Evidence That We Need Unions Now More Than Ever
June 28, 2016 by Andrew Baker
A new study by the Urban Institute has found that the upper middle class is at its largest and richest. The study defines upper middle class as a household of three earning between $100,000 and… Read More
