Latest Publications

Share:

Severing Unconscionable Terms in Employment Arbitration Agreements

In August 2000, the California Supreme Court handed down a landmark ruling that changed the face of employment arbitration agreements going forward. That case, known as Armendariz v. Foundation Health Psychcare Services,...more

Overbroad Employment Arbitration Agreements Will Not Be Enforced in California

Arbitration agreements, at their core, are contracts. As with any contract, there must be “mutuality” or, more colloquially, a “meeting of the minds” on what the contract is intended to encompass. For this reason, employment...more

The Battle for Supremacy: Federal Arbitration Act v. California Arbitration Act

Since its enactment, California courts have universally established the California Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.97 et seq., which governs the timely payment of fees in arbitration, allows no room for error....more

Another Blow to E-Signed Arbitration Agreements in California

Over the last decade, the use of e-signatures has become the norm for human resources departments when onboarding new employees. The advent of resources like DocuSign, Taleo, BabooHR, and others have made this process simple,...more

Workplace Violence Prevention Plans and Trainings Must be Implemented by July 1

If you missed our last reminder, there is less than a week for most California employers to finalize and implement Workplace Violence Prevention Plans (“WVPP”) and have their employees trained on the company-specific policies...more

Employer Alert: Workplace Violence Prevention Plans for California Employers Must be Established by July 1, 2024

As we previously reported, the California Legislature amended several statutes regulating employer workplace safety policies, including existing injury and illness prevention plans, to also include a new, separate requirement...more

Previous Arbitration Agreements Are Potentially Unenforceable Against Re-Hired Employees

Despite its best efforts, the California Legislature has been unable to substantially curtail the popularity of employment arbitrations in California.  The hostility to employment arbitration remains evident, however, among...more

When Does a “Dispute” Arise Under the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act?

In 2022, Congress enacted the “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act” (the “Act”) which provides that, at the election of the person alleging conduct constituting a sexual harassment dispute or...more

California Court of Appeals Reinforces Strict Limits on Arbitration Fee Payment Deadline

The California Court of Appeals recently revisited the issue of the draconian deadline for paying arbitration fees established by California Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.97. In Suarez v. Superior Court of San Diego...more

Trial Courts Do Not Have Authority to Dismiss PAGA Claims for Lack of Manageability

Until recently, California courts were split on whether Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) claims could be dismissed for a lack of “manageability” – referring to the practicality of effectively conducting a trial on the...more

Happy Valentine’s Day! A Reminder that Employers Must Notify Employees of Void Non-Compete Clauses and Agreements by February 14,...

As part of a focused effort by the California Legislature to protect employees from unenforceable non-compete clauses and agreements and increase fair competition among employers in 2024, Assembly Bill 1076 enacted Business...more

California Expands Protections for Employee Conduct

Employee claims of retaliation in the workplace have been on an upward trend since the California Legislature amended Labor Code section 1102.5 to include protections for whistleblower complaints made directly to a person...more

Appealing A Petition to Compel Arbitration Ruling No Longer Automatically Stays Superior Court Proceedings

Over the past few years, this blog has followed the California Legislature’s concerted efforts to vitiate employment arbitrations in the state. Senate Bill 365 is the next in line....more

California Enacts Additional Restrictions on Employer Noncompete Agreements

The California Legislature has sought in recent years to expand the rights of employees in nearly every facet of business in California. Employer restrictions on an employee’s ability to work in the same industry after...more

California Increases Paid Sick Leave for Employees

Senate Bill 616, which was signed into law by Governor Newsom this month, amends existing law regarding paid sick leave to California employees....more

­California Opens its Doors to Commerce by Voiding Out-Of-State Non-Compete Agreements

You may have heard the half-serious joke that California acts as its own independent country. One example of this is California’s strong disfavor of non-compete agreements, which stands in contrast with the rest of the...more

California Supreme Court Rules that PAGA Claims May Be Pursued in Court Despite Arbitration Agreement

Following the United States Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Moriana v. Viking River Cruises, California courts were tasked with the open question of whether an “aggrieved” employee whose individual Private Attorneys...more

California Court of Appeals Holds that Joint Employers Must Sign Arbitration Agreement

In law school, aspiring attorneys are taught fundamental concepts related to contracts, including “agency”, “third party beneficiary”, and “equitable estoppel”, terms which relate to determining who should be subject to the...more

Court Rules Outside Salesperson Exemption Turns on Employer Control

Until recently, employers had the luxury of interpreting the outside salesperson exemption to minimum wage, overtime and meal and rest period requirements at face value. This is because the definition of an “outside...more

California Court of Appeals Rules that Proposition 22 is Constitutional...Mostly...For Now

In the 2020 general election, Californians passed Proposition 22, which gave ride-sharing and delivery app companies such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash the ability to continue classify their drivers as independent contractors. ...more

NLRB Declares Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Severance Agreements Unlawful

Over the last few years, employers throughout the United States have enjoyed some measure of protection from former employees who signed severance agreements....more

Arbitration Agreements Can Be A Condition of Employment Once Again

The saga of challenges to mandatory employment arbitration agreements is almost over. After three years of challenges, the United States Chamber of Commerce successfully appealed the enactment and enforcement of California’s...more

California Will Create a Pilot Program Recognizing Businesses That Create Safe and Welcoming Environments

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2448 into law, which will enact Civil Code section 51.17. The law requires the Civil Rights Department (formerly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing) to establish a pilot program...more

Employers Beware: SB 1044 Creates a Right to Refuse to Work in Emergency Conditions

Effective January 1, 2023, Senate Bill 1044 will prohibit employers from taking or threatening adverse action against any employee for refusing to report to, or leaving, a workplace or worksite during an “emergency condition”...more

When Substantial Compliance Is Not Enough: A Cautionary Ruling For Employment Arbitration Actions

Since its enactment in 2020, employers have been forced to be mindful of the burdensome imposition of Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.97 et seq., which requires an employer to pay the full amount of arbitration fees...more

45 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 2

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide