BETA Healthcare Group is pleased to provide the California Employment Law Newsletter published by BLR. Each issue highlights new case law and legal and regulatory changes of interest to California employers.

Check out the most recent issues:

• 04/22/2026 - Abuse of privileged data risks attorney disqualification (PDF).
• 04/08/2026 - DOL proposes new independent contractor rule, reversing Biden admin's 2024 rule (PDF).
• 03/25/2026 - Who decides validity of arbitration agreement? 9th Circuit reverses lower court (PDF).
• 03/11/2026 - App companies lose constitutional challenge to worker ordinance (PDF).
• 02/25/2026 - The Case of the Manufactured Motive? Be sure to investigate full before trial (PDF).
• 02/11/2026 - California Court of Appeal rejects 'no harm no foul' rule (PDF).
• 01/28/2026 - We're talking about wages? Yes, and doing so is still protected by the NLRA (PDF).
• 01/14/2026 - Salvation granted by trial court, reversed by higher authority (PDF).
• 12/24/2025 - The Case of the Inattentive Inspector: Determining liability when independent contractors get hurt on the job (PDF).
• 12/10/2025 - Employers take action: DHS stopped automatic EAD extensions October 30, 2025! (PDF).
• 11/26/2025 - Third-party service fails to deliver, leaving employer with $75,000 in damages (PDF).
• 11/12/2025 - Want to know if an employee is lying? It may cost you $100,000 (PDF).
• 10/29/2025 - Despite title, new DOJ anti-DEI guidance not just for federal funds recipients (PDF).
• 10/15/2025 - Employer burnt by scorched earth litigation tactics (PDF).
• 09/24/2025 - 9th Circuit decision highlights two kinds of age discrimination statutes (PDF).
• 09/10/2025 - California Supreme Court gives double win to employee (PDF).
• 08/27/2025 - OPM issues new rules for religion in the office (PDF).
• 08/13/2025 - How many times must I face these charges? Employee appeals dismissal after assault charges dropped (PDF).
• 07/30/2025 - Appeals court rules fear of vaccines is not covered disability (PDF).
• 07/16/2025 - Can't enforce arbitration agreement when related contract is unconscionable (PDF).
• 06/25/2025 - Make settlement payments at your own risk (PDF).
• 05/28/2025- Supreme court defers to president over precedent, allows firing of board members for now (PDF).
• 05/14/2025- Court clarifies statute of limitations for individual and representative PAGA claims (PDF).
• 04/23/2025- New guidance for an old problem: Addressing antisemitism in the workplace (PDF).
• 04/09/2025- Lights! Camera! COVID! Actor refuses vaccination, loses role and lawsuit (PDF).
• 03/26/2025- Every step you take: Navigating H-1B visa lottery and increased ICE enforcement (PDF).
• 03/12/2025- 9th Circuit rules on postmaster's claim that USPS protected the male (PDF).
• 02/26/2025- How Trump 2.0 has already affected employment-based immigration (PDF).
• 02/12/2025- Parties agreed to arbitrate based only on California law, but court steps in (PDF).
• 01/29/2025- Supreme Court defaults to lower standard of proof for FLSA exemptions (PDF).
• 01/15/2025- Taking care of your business: Employment considerations in a natural disaster (PDF).
• 12/25/2024- ICE, ICE...maybe: Know your rights when ICE arrives at your workplace (PDF).
• 12/11/2024- He’s a real Nowhere Man: Employee must arbitrate wage and hour claims (PDF).
• 11/25/2024- Win for employers: No PAGA standing without underlying labor code violations (PDF).
• 11/11/2024- Navigating immigration changes in 2025: What you need to know after the 2024 election (PDF).
• 10/25/2024- Employer cannot compel arbitration of sexual harassment and other unrelated claims (PDF).
• 10/11/2024- California Supreme Court to rule on arbitration forfeiture (PDF).
• 09/26/2024- Talking politics: Know when employee political speech is protected at work (PDF).
• 09/12/2024- I shocked the sheriff: 9th Circuit rules private texts aren't protected speech (PDF).
• 08/12/2024- Injured in a jet tank, but employee doesn't break the bank (PDF).
• 07/26/2024- Court ruling puts FTC noncompete ban on life support (PDF).
• 07/12/2024- Doctor, doctor give me the news, I've got a bad case of FMLA blues (PDF).
• 06/27/2024- Sex on the beach: CA courts determine jurisdiction in sexual assault case (PDF).
• 06/13/2024- CA fruit farm agrees to pay $100K to settle sex harassment, discrimination claims (PDF).
• 05/27/2024- In California, stock options are not wages (PDF).
• 05/13/2024- No special deliveries! Mandatory fee-shifting is limited to what is reasonable (PDF).
• 04/26/2024- Complex laws around healthcare employees get more complicated (PDF).
• 04/12/2024- Time entering, exiting, driving, and marooned on campus all compensable (PDF).
• 03/26/2024- Cruisin' for a brew-sin': SCOTUS to resolve circuit split over unionization at Starbucks (PDF).
• 03/12/2024- Text messages destroyed during litigation (PDF).
• 02/26/2024- Supreme Court acknowledges whistleblower friendly burden of proof (PDF).
• 02/12/2024- Your case may be unmanageable, but it's going to trial! (PDF).
• 01/12/2024- Police quotas are ticket to liability (PDF).
• 12/27/2023- Hard rocking supervisor brought to court (PDF).
• 12/13/2023- Defense verdict reversed because of improper evidence (PDF).
• 11/27/2023- Workplace investigations didn't constitute evidence of discrimination or harassment (PDF).
• 11/13/2023- Court reduces attorneys’ fees due to lawyer incivility (PDF).
• 10/27/2023- 2023 changes to California Fair Chance Act provide clarity (PDF).
• 10/13/2023- Look out for new workplace obligations in 2024 (PDF).
• 09/28/2023- Hyatt’s late checkout of final payment (PDF).
• 09/14/2023- Damned if you do, damned if you don’t (PDF).
• 08/28/2023- Definition of ‘employer’: independent liability for FEHA violations (PDF).
• 08/14/2023- Determining who pays employee expenses incurred for COVID work at home (PDF).
• 07/28/2023- Employers not at fault when employees transmit COVID-19 to nonemployees (PDF).
• 07/14/2023- Governmental immunity available for malicious prosecutions but not for investigations (PDF).
• 06/29/2023- Broadly offensive music and lyrics create hostile environment (PDF).
• 06/15/2023- Anti-SLAPP doesn't protect defamation intended to settle theoretical litigation (PDF).
• 05/29/2023- When employees 'disclose' violation already known to employer (PDF).
• 05/15/2023- Lack of substantive unconscionability saves arbitration agreement (PDF).
• 04/28/2023- 9th Circuit weighs in on religious objection to loyalty oath (PDF).
• 04/14/2023- Latest decision on arbitration of PAGA claims offers mixed bag (PDF)
• 03/29/2023- Please stay home: PAGA swallows paid sick leave (PDF)
• 03/15/2023- Arbitration agreement enforceable, but court wrong in denying new claims (PDF)
• 03/01/2023- Jury to decide if federal law protects airline pilot on short-term military leave (PDF)
• 02/15/2023- Cement workers' strike may pave way more employer lawsuits against unions (PDF).
• 02/01/2023- 'Outside sales' inside Costco: classifying a representative sample (PDF).
• 01/18/2023- Standing to sue not guaranteed by federal law in California (PDF).
• 11/21/2022- Reasonable belief is all that’s needed under California Whistleblower Protection Act (PDF)
• 10/17/2022- Workers' comp win doesn't preclude similar FEHA claim (PDF).
• 10/03/2022- Pot, fast food, money, and outer space (PDF).
• 09/19/2022- I can't resign-I quietly quit (PDF)
• 09/05/2022- Accidental death was tragic, but Hollywood producer not liable (PDF).
• 08/22/2022- 9th Circuit: Sexual assault wasn't 'incident to' military service (PDF).
• 08/08/2022- Definition of ‘provide suitable seating,’ part 2 (PDF)
• 07/25/2022- Nurse gets second bite at lawsuit apple, hospital must swallow bitter pill (PDF)
• 07/11/2022- Flying on a wing formation and a prayer (PDF)
• 06/27/2022- Individual PAGA claim must cruise to arbitration (PDF)
• 06/13/2022- CA Supreme Court rules on whether meal break premium is penalty or wage (PDF)
• 05/23/2022-Time is on her side: temporary disabilities under the ADA (PDF)
• 5/09/2022- 9th Circuit agrees Walmart’s failure to pay wages wasn’t willful (PDF)
• 4/25/2022- Affiliated businesses with at least 15 employees may be single employer for ADA purposes (PDF)
• 4/11/2022- Zero-tolerance workplace violence policy? Yes, slaps can count (PDF)
• 3/21/2022 -Labor Code 925 forum selection and choice-of-law provisions absolute (PDF)
• 3/07/2022- Demand for a seat denied from the bench(PDF)
• 2/21/2022 - California enacts new COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave law(PDF)
• 2/07/2022- WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION Circumstantial evidence can prove retaliatory antiwhistleblower motive (PDF)
• 1/31/2022- What California employers need to know about revised COVID-19 ETS (PDF)
• 1/17/2022 - Neither sleet nor snow nor COVID-19 stops Supreme Court from its appointed rounds (PDF)
• 12/20/2021- Be aware of CA wage and hour rules for domestic workers, personal attendants (PDF)
• 12/06/2021- Just whine, baby: Gruden sues NFL over leaked e-mails (PDF)
• 11/15/2021 - Surprise! What California large employers should know about OSHA’s vax-or-testing rules (PDF)
• 10/18/2021 - Divided 9th Circuit upholds California restrictions on mandatory arbitration agreements (PDF)
• 9/20/2021 - What CA employers need to know about broad federal, state vaccine mandates (PDF)
• 9/06/2021 - Cost of working from home is still unclear (PDF)
• 8/23/2021 - California employers: Beware background check land mines (PDF)
• 7/26/2021 - California Supreme Court rules break premiums based onr egular rate, not hourly rate (PDF)
• 7/12/2021 - California court sides with B-Dubs on overtime calculation (PDF)
• 6/28/2021 - Cal/OSHA adopts revised COVID-19 prevention emergency temporary standard (PDF)
• 6/14/2021 - Employee unwellness and the rise of workplace shootings (PDF)
• 5/24/2021 - New law requires rehiring workers laid off because of COVID-19 (PDF)
• 5/10/2021 - POBRA can’t shield police misconduct from public scrutiny (PDF)
• 4/26/2021 - CA court upholds $500K award for terminating employee with cancer (PDF)
• 4/12/2021 - California enacts new COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (PDF)
• 3/22/2021 - DFEH releases COVID-19 vaccine guidance, Disability bias, PAGA Claims and Arbitration (PDF)
• 3/8/2021 - Post-COVID "new normal" workplaces, Federal rules on classification of contractors, termination following domestic violence conviction (PDF)
• 2/22/2021 - Cal/OSHA updates FAQs on COVID-19 emergency temporary standard, defending a wrongful termination claim, arbitration agreements (PDF)
• 2/8/2021 – Facing Retaliation Claims, OSHA COVID-19 Regulation, Risks of Using AI Software to Screen Applicants (PDF)
• 1/25/2021 – CA News in Brief, Individual Liability, Wage and Hour Law (PDF)
• 1/11/2021 – Disability Discrimination, Sexual Harassment Among Virtual Workers, Workplace Wellness Programs During the Pandemic (PDF)