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CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 56 PARTY POOPER PAYOFF

Those who dread that mass of co-workers annually aiming a horrible rendition of "happy birthday" in his or her direction can now take heart. They are not alone.A Kentucky jury has awarded a man $450,000for his employer's alleged failure to prevent a panic attack triggered by an at-work celebration of his birthday.

MORE DISCRIMINATION PROTECTIONS COMING?

PendingAssembly Bill (AB) 2182would add "family responsibilities"-- "the obligations of an employee or applicant to provide care for a minor child or care recipient" - to the ever-growing list of classes protected from discrimination by employers with five or more employees under theFair Employment and Housing Act.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2022 KICKIN' CORONA

California employers are still not out of the heavily-regulated pandemic woods. On April 21, 2022, theOccupational Safety and Health Standards Boardapproved thethird amendmentto Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS).

CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 55 CHICKENS ROOSTED

The California Labor Commissioner has cited Foster Farms and its staffing agencies $3,783,800 for failing to notify nearly 3,500 temp workers ofCOVID-19 supplemental paid sick leavebenefits (SPSL).

HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER

Clear, written employee policies are the foundation for workplace legal compliance and productivity. Prolonged pandemic conditions and California's earned reputation as a litigation hotbed underscore the importance of sound, across-the-boards written rules and protocols.

FULL TIME TO OVERTIME?

CaliforniaAssembly Bill (AB) 2932seeks to redefine the "workweek" from 40 hours to 32 hours for employers with more than 500 on payroll.

HIGH TIME OFF

AB 2188, pending in the California Assembly, seeks to prohibit employers, other than those in building and construction trades, from discriminating against workers for:

PREVENTION MEDICINE

Employment policy doesn't have to be written but you will never hear this firm saying that. Particularly in litigation happy California, clearly stating personnel expectations and boundaries in a regularly updated manual or other compilation is not just good sense, it can amount to business suicide prevention.

CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 54 SPEED BUMP

On February 10, 2022, California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)announceda suit againstTesla, Inc.alleging racial discrimination against Black employees, including segregation to the lowest levels of the workforce.