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

Colorado Significantly Revises Its Landmark AI Law

Colorado made national headlines in 2024 by becoming the first state to enact a comprehensive law regulating high-risk artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The law immediately drew significant attention and criticism, from businesses and technology companies, prompting concerns about compliance burdens, uncertainty, and the potential impact on innovation. Following extensive stakeholder…

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Preventing Discrimination in California: The Workers’ Compensation Trap

The Scenario: Employee sustains a work-related injury and files a workers’ compensation claim. While the claim is pending, the employee is declared temporarily totally disabled (“TTD”) for one reason or another. After receiving notice of the TTD finding, the employer, believing the employee to be “totally disabled” (as opposed to “temporarily totally disabled) either refuses to…

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Smoke on the Horizon: What Employers Need to Do Now

As wildfire activity increases across Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico, employers should take proactive steps to protect employees from the health hazards associated with heavy smoke conditions. While California has a specific Wildfire Smoke Emergency Standard, employers in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico are also required under federal OSHA's General Duty Clause to provide a…

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IRS Issues Mid-Year Mileage Rate Increase

In response to rising fuel costs, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a mid-year increase to the optional standard mileage rates used to calculate deductible automobile costs for business, medical, or moving purposes. The increase is effective July 1, 2026. The following rates apply to eligible travel from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026: Business…

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EEOC Formally Proposes Recission of EEO-1 Reporting Requirement

On July 21, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), by a 2-1 vote, issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would rescind annual EEO data reporting requirements for employers and other covered entities. If finalized, the rule would eliminate the obligation to submit annual workforce demographic reports—commonly known as EEO-1, EEO-2, EEO-3,…

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Colorado Adds New Requirements for I-9 Identification Documents

Colorado employers should review their I-9 and onboarding procedures following the enactment of HB26-1283, which creates new restrictions on how employers handle applicants' and employees' government-issued identification documents. The law took effect immediately upon Governor Polis' signature on June 3, 2026, and establishes new notice requirements, strict limits…

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California Limits When Arbitration Agreements Can Be Enforced

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2155 (AB 2155), aligning California's Arbitration Act with the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). Effective January 1, 2027, an arbitration agreement that would be unenforceable under the FAA will likewise be unenforceable under California law. What Does it Mean? AB 2155 does not prohibit employment arbitration agreements or change the…

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California Civil Rights Department Updates Guidance on Disability Accommodations

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has released new guidance on workplace protections for workers with disabilities. The fact sheet does not appear to create new legal obligations, but it is a useful reminder of California employers’ existing duties to reasonably accommodate employees and applicants with disabilities and to engage in a timely, good-faith interactive…

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Arizona AG Creates New Community Civil Rights Advisory Council

Arizona employers should take note of a recent development from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office: Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced the creation of a new Community Civil Rights Advisory Council within her office. The move follows the Arizona Legislature’s decision earlier this year to eliminate the state’s long-standing Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board. For nearly…

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DOL Clarifies When Meal Breaks Remain Unpaid Under the FLSA

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently issued an opinion letter providing an important clarification on unpaid meal break compliance under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The guidance addresses whether time spent walking to parking areas or navigating security during a meal period renders that time compensable. In its opinion letter, the WHD…

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Best Practices: AI in the Workplace: What Employers Should Be Doing Now

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly moving from a “nice-to-have” tool to a core part of day-to-day operations. Employers are increasingly using AI for recruiting, performance management, workforce analytics, and employee communications. At the same time, regulators and courts are paying close attention. New laws, enforcement activity, and litigation trends signal that AI in…

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