Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Best Practices for Employers Facing a Sexual Harassment Complaint in California
The California Civil Rights Department explains that workers in our state have a right to a workplace environment that is free from sexual harassment. Employers have a proactive responsibility to protect their employees. Companies also need to have a proper system in place to respond to a harassment allegation. Otherwise, there is a serious… Read More »
California Court: Casting Decision Over Failure to Get Vaccination was Lawful
Recently, a California appellate court ruled in favor of an employer in the entertainment industry in a hiring discrimination case. In Sexton v. Apple Studios LLC, 110 Cal. App. 5th 183, the court found that Apple Studios LLC was within its legal rights when it withdrew an employment offer for an actor who declined… Read More »
What Employers Can Learn from Recent California Disability Discrimination Settlement
On June 12th, 2025, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EECO) confirmed that a California employer entered into a unique disability discrimination settlement. Elaine’s Pet Resorts, a business with locations in Fresno and Madera, reportedly withdrew job positions from applicants due to post-offer drug screening, even though the substances in question were medically prescribed. Here,… Read More »
California Court Confirms Enforceability of Prospective Written Meal Period Waivers
On April 21, 2025, the California Second District Court of Appeal issued an instructive decision in the case of Bradsbery v. Vicar Operating, Inc. The appellate court confirmed the enforceability of prospective written meal period waivers. There are important implications for wage and hour law. Within this article, our Riverside County and Coachella Valley… Read More »
Three Provisions Employers Cannot Include in Employment Contracts in California
California is an at-will employment state. With that being said, many employees—specifically higher-ranking executives employees—work under a contract that takes the employment relationship out of the “at-will” doctrine. Employers and employees have broad discretion to work out their own agreement terms. However, in California, there are certain provisions that employers cannot include in a… Read More »
An Employer’s Guide to Meal and Rest Break Laws in California
California has some of the most comprehensive meal and rest break laws for workers in the entire country. It is important that all companies that operate in the state have a full understanding of their obligations. At Sloat Law Group, APC, we take a proactive approach to compliance. Here, our California employment lawyer provides… Read More »
California Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Restrict Use of AI in Employment Decisions
In March of 2025, California lawmakers introduced a proposal to restrict the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment decisions. The legislation—Senate Bill 7 (SB 7)—would both limit and regulate the use of AI and related technologies in hiring, firing, and other personnel decisions. It is referred to as the “No Robo Bosses Act.”… Read More »
Lesson for Employers: Company in California Will Pay Nearly $200,000 to Settle Equal Pay Act Charge
On April 1, 2025, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that a company from California must pay nearly $200,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Equal Pay Act. Tiburcio Vasquez Health—an organization located in Alameda County—was charged with unlawfully underpaying three female employees. Here, our California employment law attorney provides a more… Read More »
California Appellate Court Reverses Multi-Million Verdict in Wrongful Termination/Defamation Case
Earlier this year, the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District reversed a multi-million dollar verdict in favor of an employee in a complex wrongful termination and defamation case (Hearn v. Pacific Gas & Elec. Co.). The court determined that the trial court erred in ruling that the plaintiff (a former employee) could pursue… Read More »
An Overview of California’s Worker Intimidation Law (New for 2025)
On January 1, 2025, California Labor Code § 1137 officially took effect. It has been referred to as the state’s “worker intimidation law” as a shorthand. In effect, the law gives workers the right to decline to attend employer-sponsored meetings that are political or religious without facing any adverse action (retaliation). Notably, labor-related matters… Read More »