Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Employers in California Should Know About Wildfire Smoke and Workplace Safety Standards
The tragic wildfires have caused horrific damage throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. As reported by the California Globe, a preliminary estimate of the January 2025 wildfire damage in the Los Angeles area already exceeds $270 billion. Additionally, wildfire smoke is a health and safety hazard to the surrounding areas. Employers in California in… Read More »
California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) Votes to Move Forward With Formal Rule-Making for AI-Based Employment Decisions
On November 8, 2024, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) voted 4 to 1 in favor of moving forward with the formal rule-making process for certain issues involving Automated Decision-Making Technology (ADMT), including significant employment decisions. Future regulations could potentially have major implications for companies and organizations interested in using AI to make/contribute to… Read More »
Sexual Harassment Settlement Provides Lesson for Employers in California
On December 10, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) confirmed that an employer in California agreed to settle a sexual harassment claim. Wireless World LLC—a cell phone retailer from Sacramento, CA—will pay $107,916 as part of the agreement. The case is instructive for employers as it shows the importance of taking a proactive… Read More »
What Employers Should Know About Mediation in California
As defined within the 2024 California Rules of Court, mediation is a process through which a “neutral person facilitates communication between the disputants to assist them in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.” Mediation is a highly effective tool to resolve a wide range of legal conflicts, including employment discrimination claims, wrongful termination claims, wage… Read More »
California Supreme Court Rules Single “Slur” Sufficient for Employer Liability
On July 29, 2024, the California Supreme Court ruled that a single discriminatory “slur”” uttered in the workplace is sufficient to establish employer liability for discrimination. In the case of Twanda Bailey v. San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, et al., the court held that the employer is liable for a breach of the state’s… Read More »
Key Points Employers in California Should Know About Wage Payment Laws
California has among the country’s most comprehensive wage payment laws. A business or organization that breaches the state’s Labor Code can face serious financial sanctions. At Sloat Law Group, APC, we are committed to providing proactive workplace solutions for employers, including helping them navigate wage and hour issues. Within this blog post, our employment… Read More »
Appeals Court in California Upholds Age Discrimination Judgment (A Lesson for Employers)
Earlier this year, the California Third District Court of Appeal upheld an age discrimination judgment in favor of an employee. In the case of Hoglund v. Sierra Nev. Memorial-Miners Hosp., the appellate court found sufficient evidence to justify a finding of age-based discrimination. Here, our California employer litigation lawyer analyzes the case in more… Read More »
New Employment Ordinance Takes Effect in Los Angeles County (Fair Chance Law)
Effective September 3, 2024, the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) officially took effect in Los Angeles County. The local ordinance is designed as a complement to California’s so-called “Ban the Box” regulations and it applies to employers with locations or employees in the Los Angeles County. It is crucial that all employers… Read More »
California’s PAGA Reform Emphasizes Importance of Proactive Labor Violation Cure by Employers
The California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is a state law that allows workers to sue employers directly for Labor Code violations, on behalf of themselves and other “aggrieved employees.” Businesses and organizations have struggled to navigate this law because relatively minor violations can result in serious liability and penalties. On July 1, 2024,… Read More »
California Company Will Pay More than $100,000 to Resolve Hiring Discrimination Case (a Good Lesson for Employers)
On June 4, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) confirmed that Arakelian Enterprises Inc.—a California-based waste collection and recycling company—will pay more than $100,000 to resolve a hiring discrimination case. The company, a federal contractor subjected to heightened standards, was sued for discriminating against female job applicants. Here, our California employment lawyer discusses the… Read More »