SPECIAL BULLETIN DECEMBER 2016 CITY OF LOS ANGELES PASSES BAN-THE-BOX ORDINANCE RESTRICTS USE OF CRIMINAL HISTORY IN BACKGROUND CHECKS On December 9, 2016, Mayor Garcetti signed the “Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring” (commonly referred to as “Ban the...

When an employer’s headquarter is outside of California, but has employees inside of California, the employer may seek to include a provision in an employment contract that dictates the laws of another state govern the terms of employment, or that any disputes...

There has been an increase in the amount of benefits paid to employees on paid family leave (PFL) and state disability leave (SDI) from the current level of 55% to either 60% or 70% depending on the applicant’s income. (AB 908 signed in April, 2016)

Following a recent court decision, AB 2535 was passed which provides that employers need not list the number of hours worked on wage statements for any employee who is exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements pursuant to Labor Code Section 226(j) or pursuant...

This new law requires all employers to electronically file their employment tax returns, reports, and payments to the Employment Development Department (EDD) beginning January 1, 2017. According to the EDD’s website, this law will be phased in over two years to offer...

Labor Code Section 230 currently provides that an employer is prohibited from terminating, discriminating or retaliating against an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. This prohibition includes any action based on the employee’s...

Certain jobs have different minimum salary requirements to maintain their exempt status. The minimum thresholds are subject to changes if the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) implements such a rate change. The DIR has announced the following rate changes for...

'Tis the season....while office holiday parties are a great opportunity to show appreciation for employees, improve employee morale and team-building, and provide a chance for employees to enjoy some "holiday cheer", care should be taken to ensure that there is no...

As has been widely reported in the past few weeks, the new federal overtime rule, which was supposed to become effective on December 1st, has been put on hold due to the preliminary injunction issued by a Federal court in Texas on November 22, 2016. As we reported...

As part of the minimum wage increase law passed last year, the next step up of the minimum wage occurs on January 1, 2017 as follows: Effective Date 26+ Employees 25 or Less Employees Current $10.00 $10.00 1/1/17 $10.50 $10.00 1/1/18 $11.00 $10.50 1/1/19 $12.00 $11.00...