Teresa McQueen is Corporate Counsel 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 updates […]
The incentivizing of a safe and healthy nation has finally reached the fields and offices of America. For months communities across America have tried their hand at encouraging those who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination to step up and out of their comfort zones. Restaurants, bars, local governments – offering everything from shots ...
The start of the pandemic lockdown saw employers facing a whirlwind of activity as they scrambled to create remote work rules, initiate masking and social distancing mandates and adapt to rapid fire legislative changes. As employers across the state begin contemplating “back to work” protocols it looks like another flurry of activity is on the ...
While many COVID-19 requirements are changing, others remain the same. Below are a few important reminders of statewide mandates that – for the foreseeable future – remain in effect. California’s COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) law remains in effect until September 30, 2021. As a reminder, employees are entitled to SPSL when an employee ...
In a recent ruling the Ninth Circuit (covering California and Arizona) upheld a motion to compel arbitration by a non-signatory to an arbitration agreement (Franklin v. Community Regional Medical Center, FKA, No. 19-17570 (9th Cir. 2021)). Franklin, a contract nurse employed by a staffing agency and assigned to Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC), filed a ...
In April 2020, when the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced it was discontinuing its practice of issuing Employer Correction Request Notices (e.g., “no match” letters), many employers in key industries such as Agriculture were relieved. However, relief from the administrative burden and perceived risk such notice created quickly gave way to confusion about ongoing verification…
With summer temperatures on the rise, state and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations are reminding all employers to be prepared to protect outdoor workers from heat illness. Heat illness is more likely to occur during the transitional period between spring and summer as temperatures start to climb and workers are not yet accustomed to ...
The goal of effective recruiting is to find the right person for any job opening. Effective recruiting practices that consider the specific needs of the organization with an eye toward limiting potential legal risk, save time as well as money. A well thought out recruiting process allows the employer time to identify its workforce needs, ...
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (Alabama, Florida and Georgia), in deciding Ramirez v. Statewide Harvesting & Hauling, LLC (May 21, 2021), finds under certain circumstances, work performed by farm laborers that is separate from their usual agricultural activities, (e.g., “necessities trips”) may entitle them to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ...
