Week@Work

This episode of Week@Work is full of important news (and tips) for California employers.  At the national level, the EEOC has voted to eliminate the EEO-1 requirement (but California data collection obligations continue) while the Department of Labor interpreted pay obligations for mid-day commuting. In California, failing to pay out vacation cost BofA $4 million, the Ninth Circuit found an offensive Facebook post didn’t create a hostile work environment, a worrisome bill in Sacramento falls to the wayside, and three new class action lawsuits demonstrate the importance of proper pay practices.  And our bizarre case of the week analyzes accusations that a U.S. Cabinet Secretary engaged in religious proselytizing to workers.   

This episode highlights key developments California employers should have on their radar. At the national level, Congress introduces the Menopausal Workers' Fairness Act, the IRS increases the standard mileage reimbursement rate, and three high-profile off-duty conduct cases make headlines. In California, a retaliation lawsuit against Blackberry moves forward, Ralphs settles a Fair Chance Act enforcement case, and new lawsuits target Meta's alleged use of AI in layoffs, OpenAI, and Chipotle. Plus, don't miss this week's Bizarre Case, involving rapper 50 Cent's former executive assistant and allegations of retaliation, hidden assets, and false police reports. 

This episode highlights several developments California employers should have on their radar. At the national level, Walmart agreed to pay $13 million in a pay case, the New York Times fires back in a high-profile promotion case, and the EEOC files two new religion cases for failing to accommodate workers’ sabbath.  In California, Pfizer scores a big win in a retaliation suit, Amazon Fresh pays $5 million to settle OT suit, and Governor Newsom signs a new law limiting the use of arbitration agreements. Plus, don’t miss this week’s Bizarre Case, which involves a flight attendant’s TikTok dance video that has resulted in a discrimination lawsuit. 

Although it was a holiday week, there was no shortage of employment law news. Joe covers a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could reshape the leadership and priorities of the NLRB and EEOC, President Trump's nomination of Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor, the EEOC's latest actions on DEI, the NLRB's reversal on non-compete agreements, California's July 1 minimum wage increases, several noteworthy settlements and lawsuits, and a bizarre case involving a $642 Super Bowl deli platter that somehow turned into a $4.25 million arbitration award. 

This episode highlights retaliation verdicts, arbitration wins, union organizing, religious accommodation, and a battle over a tell-all book that could reshape the enforceability of non-disparagement agreements.  Joe also breaks down important Ninth Circuit and NLRB developments affecting California employers and closes with a bizarre case involving Prada, Louis Vuitton, and workplace appearance standards that reminds employers to evaluate employees based on performance, not personal style. 

This episode highlights the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to pass on two employment cases, the EEOC’s position on employer liability for third-party harassment, a staggering $22.8 million retaliation verdict against Walmart, and a lawsuit alleging workers were harassed for not speaking Spanish. In California, Joe examines the latest twists in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni legal battle and a Target disability accommodation ruling that is generating significant employer buzz. He also spotlights new workplace lawsuits against major employers, including Stanford University and Sbarro. And for the Bizarre Case of the Week, we head to Hollywood, where a former Matlock writer claims the real drama wasn’t in the script—it was in the writers’ room, raising serious allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. 

SoFi Stadium dodges a World Cup labor dispute, plus union contracts, H-1B fees, xAI, and diaper drama.