After two (or more) years of companies having to cancel the time-honored tradition of the company summer picnic and BBQ due to COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions, both companies and their employees are eager to get back out in the summer weather and get together for water balloon fights and three-legged races. And while such celebrations are a welcome addition to the summer schedule, employers would be wise to keep in mind the following tips to ensure a safe, fun, and low-risk (legally speaking) event.
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Avoiding the BBQ Pit(falls) of the Company Summer Picnic Posted on: July 22, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
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Illinois to Expand Bereavement Leave in 2023 Posted on: July 08, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
On June 9, 2022, Governor Pritzker signed the Family Bereavement Leave Act (formerly titled the Child Bereavement Leave Act) into law. The statute will take effect on January 1, 2023, and its applicability mirrors that of the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), applying to employers (including public employers) with at least 50 employees and employees who have worked for such employers for at least 12 months and at least 1,250 hours in the preceding 12-month period.
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Three Tips for Updating, Enforcing Arbitration Agreements to Minimize PAGA Exposure in California Following Supreme Court’s Viking River Decision Posted on: July 01, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
For almost two decades, the California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (PAGA) has vexed employers and resulted in significant increased exposure to wage and hour claims. To limit exposure, many employers have implemented arbitration agreements that include class and PAGA representative action waivers, which appeared unenforceable. However, in Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana, the U.S. Supreme Court recently breathed new life into this strategy.
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Four Big Benefits to Bringing an Anti-SLAPP Motion in a California Employment Lawsuit Posted on: June 21, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
California enacted its anti-SLAPP (i.e., Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) statute to provide a procedural remedy early in litigation to dispose of lawsuits that are brought to chill the valid exercise of constitutional rights. In the employment context, an anti-SLAPP motion most often is used to attack a defamation cause of action, but it can apply to any cause of action regardless of title, so long as it comes within the four types of protected speech.
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Every Service Dog Gets Two Bites: Reasonable Access and Reasonable Accommodation Obligations Under the ADA Posted on: June 15, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
As American workers continue returning to the office and facilities across the country continue to reopen following pandemic-induced closures, service and support animals are becoming increasingly present in our workplaces. These animals, particularly dogs, help people with a range of disabilities, and their presence in the workplace presents employers and business owners with distinctly different obligations under Titles I and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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Pay Attention: In California, Meal and Rest Premiums Are Now Subject to Wage Statement and Final Pay Requirements Posted on: June 09, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
The California Supreme Court, in Naranjo v. Spectrum Security Services, Inc., recently determined that meal and rest period premium payments are subject to the final pay timing requirements of Labor Code section 203 and the wage statement reporting requirements of Labor Code section 226(a). In addition, the prejudgment interest rate for violating any of these sections is 7%. In essence, the ruling means that these premiums may trigger derivative wage statements and waiting time penalties.
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Five Things Employment Lawyers Are Talking About (and Maybe You Should Too) Posted on: May 24, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
Within the Labor & Employment Advice and Counseling Group at Lewis Brisbois, we talk up a storm. We talk to each other and we talk to our clients, every day, about all the new changes being implemented by state and local lawmakers in many parts of the United States. While every employer, employee, and workplace is different and unique, you can’t help but spot some trends over time. So, what are we talking about, exactly? Here are our top five most-talked-about topics for 2022 – so far.
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Tips for Employers When Drafting Employment Applications Posted on: May 19, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
Employers trying to minimize risk of legal exposure must consider several critical issues when screening prospective hires, including drafting and reviewing employment applications. A job application is a vital part of the screening process and provides an organized way for the employer to collect information from applicants. But applications must be drafted to comply with all relevant federal, state, and local laws and so, by extension, contain several legal traps for the unwary.
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Check the Checklist! Four Considerations When Hiring Your First Employee Posted on: May 13, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
So, you’ve started a business all by yourself. That is no small feat. You have chosen an awesome company name, your tax documents are all in order, and your website has been generating lots of traffic. Now, your business is booming, and you’re up to your nose in work! It might be time to hire your first employee. That will also be no small step, and there are many considerations to, well, consider. Here’s a checklist to keep in mind.
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California Employers’ New Obligations Under the CPRA Posted on: May 11, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
In November 2020, California voters approved Proposition 24 – also known as the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) – a ballot initiative that amended the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). While the CCPA explicitly granted data privacy rights to California residents in their capacity as consumers, the CPRA grants employees additional rights with respect to their data rights.
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Effective Non-Competition Agreements for Expanding Businesses Posted on: April 20, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
Expansions in your workforce and market territory can increase the likelihood that your business will encounter jurisdictional issues that can affect your non-competition agreements. A growing business should carefully scrutinize overly broad non-competition provisions in order to draft an agreement that is durable enough to survive such changes. This article will discuss some issues that can affect your non-competition agreements plus suggestions to consider in navigating the growth of your company.
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Tips for Employers for Compliant Handbook Policies and Practices Posted on: April 19, 2022 In: Labor & Employment
Every employer who has ever faced the seemingly daunting task of preparing an employee handbook or updating existing policies knows how overwhelming the process may seem. From ensuring the policies are exhaustive to analyzing whether they comply with the law in your state, the task may seem like a big project. This post provides some tips for employers when reviewing their policies and procedures.
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