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WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 RETALIATION WAKE-UP CALL Employer Discipline, Termination May Be Presumed Illegal

SB 497, going into effect on January 1, 2024, amends Labor Code sections 98.6, 1102.5, and 1197.5 to make it easier for employees to win retaliation claims.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OVERTIME EXEMPTION RATES

California Labor Code section 515.6exempts certain licensed physicians and surgeons from overtime compensation upon receipt of specified minimum hourly compensation.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN California Employers Must Implement Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plans and Training by July 1, 2024

Under the newly enactedLabor Code section 6401.9, California employers must establish, implement and maintain an effective workplace violence prevention plan (the Plan); training materials; and a violence incident log.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 EXTENDED COMEBACK RIGHTS Hospitality Workers to Receive Longer Rehire Protection

Since 2021, California has required certain hospitality and business services industries to give rehiring preference to workers laid off because of the pandemic.See Comeback Trail: Hotels, Security Services and Others Must Offer Openings to Pandemic-Affected Former Staff(April 30, 2021).

FIVE-PEAT!

For the fifth year running, Law Offices of Timothy Bowles is Best of Pasadena's best law firm. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported us. We are pleased to continue to provide experienced and trustworthy guidance to business navigating the difficulties of California employment law.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 NON-COMPETE NO NOS

ExistingBusiness and Professions Code 16600prohibits California employers from having their employees sign non-compete clauses that restrain them from engaging in lawful professions, trades or businesses.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 REPRODUCTIVE LOSS LEAVE

California law requires private employers of five or more on payroll and all public employers to grant an employee's request to take up to five days of unpaidbereavement leaveupon the death of a family member.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INTOXICATION?Off-Hours Cannabis Users Now Protected Against Workplace Discrimination

On January 1, 2024, California will become the fourth state in the union - after Maine, Montana and Washington (plus the District of Columbia) -- to bar workplace discrimination foroff-the-jobandoff-workplacecannabis use. As below, the law retains employer rights and obligations to maintain an alcohol- and drug-free workplace and to conduct legally compliant drug screenings.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2024 CALIFORNIA VS. ARBITRATION: NEXT ROUND Legislature Permits Courts to Carry on with Cases While Arbitration Denial Appealed

TheFederal Arbitration Act(FAA) protects the rights of parties, including employers, to engage in arbitration rather than court-adjudicated lawsuits to settle disputes. In contrast, the California legislature has long attempted to nullify employers' ability to settle disputes with employees via arbitration.Governors have sometimes vetoed California's anti-arbitration legislation. When governors have approved such measures, courts have ruled that they violate the FAA.In the latest anti-arbitrati