On October 13, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have regulated employers’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other automated decisionmaking technologies in employment-related decisions, citing concerns about “overly broad restrictions” on employers’ use of the technology. The legislation, passed on the heels of the finalization of
Archives for October 14, 2025
California Refines Pay Transparency Requirements
On October 8, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation that will set the statute of limitations for civil actions alleging violations of the state’s pay transparency requirements at three years, with a six-year “look-back” period to obtain relief for an existing violation. In addition, the legislation defines
California lawmakers are leading on AI legislation and regulation
California lawmakers are leading on AI legislation and regulation
Niloy Ray says California employers will need to see if their particular AI tool or use falls within the regulations finalized by the California Privacy Protection Agency aimed at automated decision-making tools (ADMT), as well as make sure any of these
Bosses may be underestimating unionization efforts, Littler warns
Bosses may be underestimating unionization efforts, Littler warns
Jonathan Levine, Brooke Niedecken and Tanja Thompson discuss some motivators behind union organizing and how prepared U.S. employers in nonunionized workplaces are to effectively handle union-related activity.
International Employment Lawyer
View (Subscription required)
mfelling@littler.com Tue, 10/14/2025 – 17:01
Survey: Most retail, hospitality employers prepared for worker organizing
Survey: Most retail, hospitality employers prepared for worker organizing
Jonathan Levine says that despite being more prepared than other sectors, only 27% of retail/hospitality employers have developed a strike or business disruption contingency plan.
Chain Store Age
mfelling@littler.com Tue, 10/14/2025 – 16:59
Civil rights agency drops a key tool used to investigate workplace discrimination
Civil rights agency drops a key tool used to investigate workplace discrimination
In light of the EEOC discharging all complaints based on “disparate impact liability,” Bradford Kelley says discrimination claims invoking disparate impact have been less common than those alleging intentional discrimination historically, but in AI systems, discrimination is more
Businesses face ‘upheaval’ over rapid shifts in union organizing rules
Businesses face ‘upheaval’ over rapid shifts in union organizing rules
Jonathan Levine, Shannon Meade, Alex MacDonald, Brooke Niedecken and Jim Paretti say businesses face unionization upheaval due to NLRB’s lack of quorum, and many are unprepared to respond to union-organizing activities.
American City Business Journals
View (Subscription required)
mfelling@littler.com Tue, 10/14/2025 –
California Enacts Law Strengthening Protections Against Threats to the Workplace
On October 11, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation—Senate Bill (SB) No. 19—that updates the California Penal Code to add Section 422.3, a new statute that closes a loophole and includes, as criminal offenses to be more fully prosecuted, threats made against workplaces, schools, houses of worship, and
The Final Stretch for Massachusetts Pay Transparency Compliance
As a reminder, starting October 29, 2025, Massachusetts employers with 25 or more employees must comply with the Commonwealth’s new pay transparency and disclosure requirements. The Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency directs covered employers to include pay ranges in all job postings and provide this information to applicants and
Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Employment Law: A Strategic Briefing for In-House Counsel and HR Leaders
Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Employment Law: A Strategic Briefing for In-House Counsel and HR Leaders
mfelling@littler.com
Tue, 10/14/2025 – 15:15
California Paid Family Leave Gets Extended to Cover Leave for Designated Persons
Beginning July 1, 2028, benefits under California’s paid family leave program will be available to eligible employees taking leave to care for a
Why Your Company’s Reputation Matters More than Ever to Jobseekers
The job market may be tough, but applicants are still being selective.
Second Circuit Refuses to Compel Arbitration in Fees Row
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that the issue of whether a party is required to pay initial arbitration fees is a question for the arbitral body to decide, not the federal courts. The court further held that a party’s refusal to pay fees assessed is not necessarily
The Future Of Work Has Arrived: How AI Is Rebuilding Workplace Culture
AI has entered the workplace, and we are beginning to see the impact on performance management, coaching, and support.
Overlapping Jurisdictions: California Enacts Law Allowing State to Resolve Labor Disputes When NLRB Cannot
California has joined New York in enacting a law to allow the state to regulate private sector labor disputes when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unable to act or declines to do so. Notably, the California law empowers the state public labor agency to certify private sector union