Articles by: Marissa E. Buck

DP&F Employment Law Group Presents: HR Workshops this April

Join us this spring for HR Workshops designed to help business owners and HR professionals navigate some of the most difficult situations faced by California employers today. We will be holding two identical HR Workshops – one in Santa Rosa and one in Napa – each with a morning and afternoon session covering different topics in […]

Key Legal Updates All California Employers Should Know for 2024

Employment laws in California are always changing, and it is important for employers in California to keep up with these changes to ensure their policies and practices are compliant. This blog post provides key updates to the California employment laws that all employers should know for this year. Minimum Wage Increase Beginning January 1, 2024, […]

COVID-19 Updates for California Employers

On January 9, 2024, the California Department of Health (CDPH) issued an order changing COVID-19 related definitions. These revisions apply to the Cal/OSHA Non-Emergency Regulations, which are still in place until February 3, 2025 and must be followed by all employers in California. The questions and answers below reflect the updated rules and definitions that […]

Ninth Circuit Rules Time Booting Up Computer Before Clocking In Is Compensable

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision earlier this week holding that employees who worked at a call center were entitled to compensation for the time spent booting up their computers at the start of the work day prior to clocking in. The call center employees conducted the majority of their jobs using […]

Flexible Workplace Options for Employers

As more employees return to the workplace, employers are searching for ways to retain existing employees and attract new talent in a changing landscape where remote work and shorter workweeks are becoming more common. This article looks at two options for employers who are seeking to give employees greater flexibility in their schedules and how […]

COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave: New California State COVID Leave Law Applies to all California Employers with 26 or More Employees

On February 9, 2022, Governor Newsom signed the new COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law (SB-114), which is retroactive to January 1, 2022 and extends through September 30, 2022. Similar to the previous law that provided COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave and expired last year, the new COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law requires employers […]

COVID-19 Leave: Employer Obligations After September 30

State and Federal COVID-19 Leave Laws Are Set to Expire on September 30, 2021 As of the date of this article, both the federal and the California COVID-19 leave laws are set to expire on September 30, 2021 and it does not appear that either the State or Federal legislatures will be extending these provisions. […]

Top Three Tips for Employers in Implementing Remote Work Policies

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges and changes in the workplace, with one of the biggest changes being the increase in remote work for employees. As the economy reopens this year, employers are now able to bring employees safely back to the workplace. However, many employers are also exploring flexible work arrangements that allow […]

Governor Newsom Signs New Employee Recall Law (SB-93) – Effective Immediately

SB-93 was signed by Governor Newsom on April 16, 2021 and is effective immediately. The new law requires certain employers to recall eligible workers who were laid-off for reasons related to COVID-19 if their prior positions become available. Here are the key parts of the law employers need to know: Covered Employers: SB-93 only applies […]

Employer Focused Summary of American Rescue Plan Act and California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Act

The American Rescue Plan passed and signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021 extends and resets the FFCRA after its expiration on March 31. The extension and reset goes into effect on April 1 through September 30, 2021. In addition, Governor Newsom signed a new COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Act (SB-95) […]

Highlights of Napa County’s Updated Shelter in Place Order Including Cloth Face Covering Requirement

On May 7, 2020, Napa County issued an Order modifying the prior Shelter in Place Order that was issued on April 22, 2020. The full text of the Order can be found here, and the updated FAQs are here. Here are the key changes in the new Order: The Order requires wearing cloth face coverings […]

Managing Onsite Employees During COVID

Many of you have continued to have employees work at your facility and others are preparing to re-open and/or have employees return to the workplace.  There are many key issues to consider in having onsite employees and we have attempted to address the majority of them below. Note that the specific requirements will vary depending […]

Employer’s Summary of Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA” or “Act”) was signed into law by the President on Wednesday. Prior to the Senate’s vote to pass the law, the House made additional changes to the bill limiting some of the provisions related to paid leave that were required in the original version of the bill. The […]

Employer Guide to Navigating COVID 19

Below is an outline of topics designed to assist California employers in navigating COVID 19 and the related economic fallout.  Everything is changing quickly and this is based on what is currently known and available. Communications with Employees: Number one priority in this situation continues to be the safety of your employees. It is crucial […]

Legal challenges to 2020 Employment laws have begun!

As suspected, legal challenges have been made to both AB-51, which prohibits mandatory arbitration in employment, and AB-5, the new independent contractor test.  Below is a brief summary of the challenges and what it may mean for your business. Arbitration As of December 30, 2019,  California is prohibited from enforcing AB-51.  Mandatory arbitration is currently […]