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AB 5: New Law Further Limits Employers' Ability To Classify Workers As Independent Contractors

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) on September 18, 2019, which takes effect on January 1, 2020. AB 5 codifies the California Supreme Court's decision inDynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles (Dynamex) (see 2018 Client News Brief No. 20), which

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Department Of Labor Opinion Says Family Medical Leave Allowed For Parental Attendance At IEP Meetings At School

On August 8, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor issued an opinion letter (Opinion Letter) stating that the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) covers intermittent leave to attend a child's Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting, so long as the child suffers from a qualifying "serious health condition" under the FMLA.

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More Time For Paid Family Leave Is Now Available For State Employees

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill (SB) 83. SB 83 affects employees who are eligible for and pay into State Disability Insurance (SDI). SDI allows employees to receive income replacement for up to six weeks while disabled and off work. SB 83 extends the wage replacement benefits under SDI from six weeks to eight weeks effective July 1, 2020.

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New Law Clarifies Anti-Discrimination Laws Include Hair Discrimination

The California Legislature recently passed Senate Bill (SB) 188, known as the CROWN Act, which amends the definition of "race" contained in state anti-discrimination laws under both the Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Education Code to include "hair texture and protective hairstyles."

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Supreme Court Curtails Availability Of Defense To Employers In Employment Discrimination Cases

In Fort Bend County, Texas v. Davis, the United States Supreme Court held that the requirement to file an administrative charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") prior to filing a discrimination lawsuit, which is set forth in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), is not a "jurisdictional" requirement and is thus subject to waiver.

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Court Reaffirms Absences To Attend Medical Appointments May Be Evidence Of A Disability

In Ross v. County of Riverside, decided on June 20, 2019, the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District reaffirmed that repeated or extended absences from work for the purpose of attending doctor's appointments amount to a limitation on a major life activity, thus physical impairments which cause such repeated or extended absences may meet the definition of a physical d

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PERB Decision Provides Guidance Addressing "Public Hearing" Requirement

In a recent decision, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) addressed the public hearing requirement an agency must satisfy before implementing its last, best, and final offer (LBFO), after completing applicable impasse procedures. In City of Yuba City (2018) PERB Dec. No. 2603-M, PERB upheld an administrative law judge decision dismissing an unfair practice charge brought against

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Court Clarifies Interplay Between Education Code Discipline And The Brown Act's 24-Hour Notice Requirement

In Ricasa v. Office of Administrative Hearings, certified for publication on January 14, 2019, the California Court of Appeal attempted to harmonize an apparent dissonance between the Ralph M.

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Court Of Appeal Shields Personnel Records From Disclosure

In Associated Chino Teachers v. Chino Valley Unified School District (Nov. 29, 2018, E068163) ­­__ Cal.4th __, the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District determined that complaints regarding a high school teacher's alleged aggressive behavior were not substantial enough to require disclosure under the California Public Records Act (CPRA).

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