Jennifer Shaw spoke with Laura Ernde for a SHRM article regarding the California Labor Commissioner’s Office undergoing training aimed at resolving workplace disputes before a formal hearing takes place. You can read the article here.
Archives for December 15, 2021
MAKING MANDATORY EEO TRAINING EFFECTIVE
Come 2022, many California employers will once again need to make plans to provide mandatory EEO and “abusive conduct” training to all employees. Senate Bill 1343 became law in 2019, requiring employers to provide training every two years, with an initial training deadline of January 1, 2021.
New Statewide Mask Mandate (Updated!)
On December 13, 2021, the California Department of Public Health issued new guidance on the use of face coverings, which replaces all prior face covering guidance.
Designated Persons Under the CFRA
So. It pays to read EVERY word in a statute. Case in point: AB 1033, which will become law on January 1, 2022. Section 1.5 of the bill purports to add “designated person” to the list of individuals for whom employees may use leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
Andrew Maunz Comments on Crucial Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Settlement
Andrew Maunz comments on Activision’s EEOC deal and why the settlement may lay the ground rules for how competing regulators tackle the gaming industry’s workplace issues in “Activision Braces for Crucial Ruling in Harassment Deal Turf War,” published by Bloomberg Law.
Michelle Phillips Discusses Implications of Courts Grappling With Balancing Religious Rights and LBGTQ+ Protections
Michelle Phillips discusses the year’s largest court decisions and how courts are struggling to balance religious claims and LGBTQ+ rights in “The Biggest Workplace LGBTQ Rights Decisions Of 2021” published by Law360.
René Thorne and Phillip Thompson Author “Supreme Court Struggles with Plausibility Standard in Retirement Plan Fee Cases”
René Thorne and Phillip Thompson author “Supreme Court Struggles with Plausibility Standard in Retirement Plan Fee Cases,” published by SHRM.
Jackson Lewis Taps Kimya S.P. Johnson as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and Principal
Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce Kimya S.P. Johnson has joined the firm as chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer (CDEIO) and principal.
Top Five Labor Law Developments for November 2021
On Nov. 19, 2021, the House passed a version of the Build Back Better Act that would vastly expand employer liability under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The bill adds aggressive “civil penalties,” on top of the traditional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) remedies of backpay and reinstatement, for certain violations of the NLRA by employers. Employers found to be in violation of the NLRA are subject to a fine up to $50,000.
Philadelphia Announces January 2022 Vaccination Mandate for Indoor Venues
The City of Philadelphia announced that starting January 3, 2022, it will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for admission to indoor restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues serving food or drinks. The mandate does not apply to masked individuals entering an establishment for less than 15 minutes to pick up food or use the restroom.
Build Back Better Act Update: Class Waiver Provisions Gone, Penalty Increases Remain
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has released its version of the Build Back Better bill and it does not contain the provision regarding class or collective action waivers in the version passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on November 19, 2021.
New York Health Commissioner Issues Order, Guidance on New State COVID-19 Mask Mandate
Following her announcement of a broad COVID-19 mask mandate for New York businesses effective December 13, 2021, Health Commissioner Mary Bassett has published an order and frequently asked questions clarifying certain issues.
Virginia Expands Housing, Employment Protections for Military Members
A new Virginia law expands the state’s prohibitions on discrimination in residential real estate transactions and in employment against military members.
Illinois Municipality Granted Summary Judgment in Employment Discrimination Case
Saving a Southern Illinois municipality from trial, John M. Allen and Catherine L. Schwarze of Goldberg Segalla’s Civil Litigation and Trial group convinced the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois to grant summary judgment in an employment discrimination case.
Kristen Klein Wheaton Quoted in Law360 on Biggest Disability Bias Decisions of 2021
Throughout 2021, courts have heard various high-profile cases around disability biases. Law360 highlighted four of these crucial decisions and spoke with Goldberg Segalla’s Kristin Klein Wheaton regarding the outcomes and how they will affect employers.