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California’s New AI Rules for Lawyers and Arbitrators: What SB 574 Means for Your Practice
[Law Clerk Caroleen Bitar contributed.] The California Legislature passed Senate Bill 574, which, if signed into law, will establish new statutory requirements for attorneys and arbitrators who use generative artificial intelligence. Introduced by Sen. Tom
California Court Rules: FEHA May Reach Employees Working Outside the State
[Law Clerk Caroleen Bitar contributed.] Can an out-of-state employee bring a claim under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)? A recent Court of Appeal decision suggests they might. In Civil Rights Department v.
DOL Opinion Letters Address Hybrid Worker Travel and Pre-Shift Work: California Employer Takeaways
On July 22, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued two new opinion letters addressing questions that have become increasingly common in today’s remote-work reality: when does commuter travel for hybrid workers
California Minimum Wage Increases in 2027
Effective January 1, 2027, the California minimum wage will rise to $17.40 per hour for all employers, regardless of size, representing a 50-cent increase from the current statewide minimum wage of $16.90 per hour. The
IRS Updates Mileage Reimbursement Rate: What California Employers Should Know
California Labor Code section 2802 requires California employers to reimburse employees for all necessary expenses incurred in the course of their employment, including the business use of their personal vehicles. This obligation is designed to
California Court Rules: Harassment Based on Sexual Orientation Is Sexual Harassment
A recent court of appeals case, Decloedt v. Radnet Management, Inc. establishes that harassment based on an employee’s sexual orientation qualifies as “sexual harassment” under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The ruling also
Strange Behavior Isn’t Enough: When is a Disability Disclosed to an Employer?
When it comes to an employer’s duty to engage in the interactive process with employees, the employer’s knowledge becomes an important focal point. That is, exactly when, if at all, did the employer know that the employee
Remote Work and Wage-Hour Compliance: Hidden Risks in the Hybrid Workplace
The widespread adoption of fully remote and hybrid work arrangements brings lasting changes to how and where hourly employees perform their jobs. While much of the public conversation focuses on productivity, collaboration, and corporate culture,
No Good Deed: How Non-Profit Employers Should Properly Classify Volunteer Services
When does a volunteer legally become an employee? For California’s nonprofit sector, the answer just got a lot clearer. A recent California appellate case, Spilman v. Salvation Army, provides a roadmap for distinguishing between employees
New Court Ruling Allows California Employers to Evict Former Resident Managers When Employment Ends
The California Court of Appeals’ recent decision in De Paolo v. Rosales clarifies the rights of an employer to evict an on-site resident manager following termination of employment. Employers who provide housing as part of