Teresa McQueen, Author at Western Growers Association Western Growers Association

Teresa McQueen

Western Growers, Corporate Counsel III

Teresa McQueen is Corporate Counsel III for Western Growers. In that capacity she provides advice and counsel to the organization on employment law matters and commercial trade practices. She also provides legal guidance to Western Growers members on employment law, human resources, and commercial agreements, as well as providing law-related educational opportunities and overseeing annual […]

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Posts By: Teresa McQueen

Best Practices: AI Notetaking Tools in the Workplace

The slow institutional embrace of new tools isn’t a new phenomenon. Historically, employees have engaged in activities such as web browsing and conducting business via messaging apps, often prior to the introduction of company policies governing the use of such technology. And, while there are similarities with the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the distinction lies in the…

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EEOC Settlement Highlights Employer’s Religious Accommodation Duties Under Title VII

A recent settlement by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) underscores the critical importance for employers to consistently uphold anti-discrimination protections for both employees and job applicants. A Washington state-based staffing agency has agreed to pay $217,500 to settle allegations that it violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) when it…

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AI Bias in Hiring: What Employers Need to Know to Stay Compliant

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how employers recruit, screen, and hire workers. The lure of AI is its promise of efficiency, especially in the Human Resources space where hiring often spans diverse roles, seasonal needs, and regulatory complexity. But the reality of AI is that its use carries significant legal risks, especially when it comes to…

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Cal/OSHA Reminds Employers to Protect Employees from Heat Illness

Cal/OSHA reminds all employers of their obligation to safeguard employees from heat-related illnesses, as high temperatures are anticipated to persist throughout California in the upcoming week. Heat illness is a serious and potentially deadly hazard. Under Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Standards, employers are legally required to implement protective measures for outdoor and…

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Compliance Strategies for Colorado’s New Wage and Hour Law

Colorado’s newly enacted House Bill 25-1001 (HB25-1001) broadens the definition of employer, expands payroll deduction limits to include state and local minimums, and provides for tighter wage payment deadlines. HB25-1001’s increased penalty provisions are discussed here. To stay ahead of compliance pitfalls, here’s what Colorado employers need to know: Key Changes Expanded…

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Best Practices: Emoji’s in the Workplace

In today's fast-paced digital world, emojis have become an integral part of our communication vocabulary, not just in personal conversations but also in professional settings. The ever-expanding ability to use emojis, not only in text messages, but in work productivity tools like Microsoft Teams and Outlook, has seen the use of emojis slowly but surely creeping into our workplace communications.…

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CA Certifies Minimum Wage Increase for January 1, 2026

The California Labor Code mandates the State’s Director of Finance annually (on or before August 1 of each year) determine and certify whether an adjustment for inflation should be applied to the statewide minimum wage once it reaches $15.00 per hour, which occurred on January 1, 2023. California’s minimum wage is currently $16.50 per hour. This year, the Department of Finance…

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