Add "texting" to the list of things you may not do in California while driving. As previously reported in the Stoel Rives World of Employment, on July 1 this year, California banned talking on a cell phone while driving (although talking on a hands-free device is still okay). However, the California legislature forgot to add
Ninth Circuit Asks Washington Supreme Court to Define “Disability” under WLAD
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this week certified a question to the Washington Supreme Court, seeking that court’s help in defining "disability" under the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD).
Two years ago, in McClarty v. Totem Electric, 137 P.3d 844 (2006), the Washington Supreme Court significantly narrowed the definition of "disability" under
Oregon Announces New Minimum Wage of $8.40 Effective January 1, 2009
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The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries recently announced that Oregon’s minimum wage will increase from the current $7.95 an hour to $8.40 an hour effective January 1, 2009. For Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian’s press release, click here.
As a result of Ballot Measure 25, passed by voters in 2002, the minimum wage
Ninth Circuit Upholds Legal Arizona Workers’ Act
This week the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Legal Arizona Workers Act (LAWA) is not preempted by the federal (IRCA). Rather, the court held, LAWA falls within the scope of the “savings clause” of IRCA’s express preemption provision as a “licensing law” and is therefore enforceable. A coalition of human rights and
What Labor and Employment Law Question Would You Ask the Presidential Candidates?
The Presidential election is less than two months away, and the candidates’ campaigns are in full swing. Oddly enough, the candidates have been strangely silent on labor and employment law issues, focusing their attention on other pressing national security concerns, such as putting lipstick on pigs. Glad to see they’re taking the high road.
In
City of Vancouver Settles Race Discrimination Suit for 1.65 Million
The City of Vancouver, Washington announced yesterday that it will pay a former police officer $1.65 million to settle a federal retaliation and racial discrimination lawsuit he filed two years ago over his termination. To read the Oregonian’s coverage on the case, click here.
This isn’t plaintiff Navin Sharma’s first settlement with the city: he settled
California Assembly Passes Four Employment-Related Laws
California employers take note: The California State Assembly recently passed four significant employment-related bills that you should pay close attention to:
- Medical Marijuana: A.B. 2279 would prohibit discrimination against an employee based on marijuana use, as long as the use was for medical reasons and did not occur at the workplace or during the hours of
California Drywall Contractor Settles Meal Break Case for $1.4 Million
California employers beware: the state Attorney General is enforcing meal breaks and overtime laws. This week, an Orange County drywall contractor agreed to pay $1.4 million in damages to employees who did not receive their legally required meal breaks or who did not recieve overtime. To read the settlement in the case, California v. Interwall Dev. Sys. Inc.
Stoel Rives Offers Seminar on Oregon’s New Noncompete Law
Legislation that significantly altered an employer’s ability to utilize noncompete agreements in the state of Oregon took effect on January 1, 2008. How has the new law impacted corporate policies around restrictive covenants? What are the new best practices you need to implement to stay in compliance?
For answers to these questions and more, join
California Court Upholds One Year Statute of Limitation to Arbitrate FEHA Claim
If you’ve followed the development of California law on the enforceability of arbitration agreements in the last few years, you know it’s complex. And last week, it just got a little more so, although in a way that might be good for employers. In Pearson Dental v. Superior Court, the California Court of Appeal