A recent case provides lessons for employers in navigating legal complaints during and after their resolution. The employee in this case, Riley Bockus, successfully won a back-pay settlement against their employer, Bevins & Son, Inc. After the employee won the settlement, the employee alleged that their former employer had engaged in retaliatory behavior by using social media to publicly criticize the employee.Â
California wildfires have become increasingly frequent and severe in recent years, posing significant challenges not only to individuals but also to businesses across the state. These disasters affect businesses directly through property damage and operational disruptions, as well as indirectly by influencing consumer behavior, insurance costs, and the overall economic climate. Here’s an analysis of how the recent California wildfires can impact businesses and what steps companies can take to mitigate these risks.
California business groups have filed a lawsuit to block the state’s new law, Senate Bill 399, which went into effect on January 1, 2025. The law makes it illegal for employers to penalize employees who refuse to attend meetings that discuss political or religious opinions, including matters related to unionization. These meetings, often referred to as “captive audience meetings,” have long been criticized by unions for intimidating employees and discouraging unionization. The legislation was authored by State Senator Aisha Wahab and is part of a broader set of workplace laws introduced in California.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued a significant ruling halting the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which had been set to require businesses to disclose corporate and personal information by January 13, 2025. This decision marks a dramatic reversal, following a prior ruling just days earlier that had reinstated the reporting requirements. The new halt came after a December 26 ruling by another 5th Circuit panel, which reinstated a nationwide injunction to preserve the status quo while the court reviews the substantive arguments in the case. A hearing is scheduled for March 2025, with briefing schedules set for February.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has extended the deadline for most reporting companies to file beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports to January 13, 2025. This extension follows a recent court ruling that reinstated the reporting requirement.
Disneyland has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit for $233 million, which alleged that the park failed to pay its employees, known as cast members, in accordance with an Anaheim minimum wage law. The lawsuit stems from a 2018 measure, Measure L, that required businesses in Anaheim’s resort area to pay a $15 minimum wage if they benefited from city tax rebates. The settlement, which affects over 50,000 current and former employees, will cover back pay with interest. A judge is set to review the settlement on January 17, 2025, and once approved, workers will receive notifications about their compensation.
Starting January 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will require construction industry employers to ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) properly fits workers based on their unique body sizes and shapes. Announced on December 11, this update explicitly mandates that PPE—such as hard hats, gloves, safety harnesses, and protective footwear—is both appropriate for job hazards and fitted for effectiveness. The change is particularly significant as the industry sees a growing number of women in construction, highlighting long-standing challenges with PPE fit for diverse body types.
A U.S. magistrate judge ruled that social media platform X (formerly Twitter) must face most of a lawsuit filed by six former employees who claim they were not paid severance after being laid off or resigning following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company. The lawsuit includes claims of wage theft, breach of contract, and failure to provide advance notice of layoffs. The plaintiffs, based in New York, California, and Texas, allege they were denied over $1 million in severance payments after Musk’s $44 billion takeover. One claim is brought under California’s Private Attorneys General Act, allowing the plaintiffs to represent a broader group of former employees.
As most businesses were rushing to meet the January 1, 2025, deadline to submit Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a federal court in Texas issued a major ruling on December 3, 2024. The court temporarily stopped the U.S. government from enforcing the BOI reporting requirements nationwide. The lawsuit, filed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), argued that the CTA might be unconstitutional. The court agreed, finding that the law likely exceeds Congress’s authority to regulate commerce or pass laws necessary for tax collection.
With the holiday season upon us, California employers may be eager to foster camaraderie and celebrate the year’s achievements. However, office holiday parties can bring unique legal risks. Here are some best practices to help employers manage these events while maintaining a positive and compliant workplace environment.
