Tag Archives: employees

photo of hand signing arbitration agreement

9th Circuit Decision on Arbitration Agreements

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9th Circuit Decision Makes It Harder for California Employers to Require Employees to Sign Arbitration Agreements as a Condition of Employment

Effective, January 1, 2020, the California legislature had passed a bill, AB 51, making it unlawful for employers to require newly hired employees to sign arbitration agreements as a condition of employment, meaning that it was not a voluntary choice.

Business groups promptly sued to invalidate AB 51. Last year, a federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction barring the state from enforcing the statute, finding that it was pre-empted by the Federal Arbitration Act.Read more→

New Los Angeles County Quarantine and Isolation Orders (Updated 09/03/21)

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COVID regulations surrounding quarantine and isolation requirements continue to evolve for Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued two orders, effective August 26, 2021, governing quarantine for those in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 (Quarantine Order) and for those who develop COVID-19 themselves (Isolation Order). The Orders are available here: County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Order of the Health Officer Emergency Quarantine Order  and County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Order of the Health Officer Emergency Isolation Order. These updates supersede the last quarantine and isolation orders issued in December 2020. Of note, is that employees may leave quarantine and isolation periods sooner than 10 days if they meet the criteria as set out below.*Read more→

Employee at desk smiling

Recalling Staff To The Office Requires Careful Consideration
by Alexis D. James with contribution from Dr. Jeremy Lurey

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I am an employment attorney who has been advising California companies throughout the pandemic on their legal obligations related to COVID-19. At times, I have felt like the school nurse, telling managers how to screen employees for COVID symptoms and when to send them home. At other times, I have advised about leave requirements for parents whose childcare was closed, or notification procedures for outbreaks. As the rules came out with dizzying speed, our firm gave the advisements and heard the groans from exasperated business owners.Read more→