SB 54 Plastic Packaging Resources and Updates. Access Here.

Skip to main content
Search Open
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 […]

Teresa's Full Bio

Posts By: Teresa McQueen

Filter by Date
CRD Initiates First-of-its-kind Lawsuit Against Ralphs Over Alleged Criminal History Screening Violations

California employers take heed; the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is serious about enforcing the state’s Fair Chance Act (the Act). In a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, the CRD is alleging Ralphs Grocery Company has violated the Fair Chance Act, resulting in the unlawful denial of employment opportunities to hundreds of applicants at grocery store locations across Southern…

Visit Page
Disability Related “Red Flags” to Avoid in 2024

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) efforts to prioritize its enforcement mandates – based on the agency’s current Strategic Enforcement Plan – should have the attention of all qualified employers. Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases) such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and…

Visit Page
CA Civil Rights Department Reminder on Sexual Harassment Training

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is reminding California employers of the state’s bi-annual sexual harassment prevention training requirements. Under California law, employers with five or more employees must provide at least one hour of training to nonsupervisory employees and two hours of training to supervisory employees every two years. With the new year just getting started,…

Visit Page
California Supreme Court to Decide PAGA Manageability Issue 

The California Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in Estrada v. Royalty Carpet Mills, Inc. A decision in the case is expected to address the current split in California Appellate courts on the issue of trial court authority when it comes to limiting California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims and addressing manageability.   PAGA authorizes aggrieved employees to file…

Visit Page
The EEO-1 “Failure To File” Deadline is Fast Approaching 

As discussed here, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) 2022 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection opened October 31, 2023.   The deadline for submitting and certifying reports was December 5, 2023.   Employers that have not yet submitted their reports must – according to the EEOC – do so “as soon as possible, and no later than January 9, 2024 (the “Failure…

Visit Page
New CA Wage Theft Notice and Updated Paid Sick Leave Poster

In addition to updating its California Paid Sick Leave FAQ’s, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently updated its Paid Sick Leave Poster and statutory Wage Theft Notice (Notice). The newly updated Notice is provided ahead of its statutory March 1, 2024, deadline. However, as of the date of this article, the updated Notice is currently only available in English (See…

Visit Page
Colorado Releases Equal Pay Transparency Final Rule

The Colorado Department of Labor Employment (CDLE) has released its final Equal Pay Transparency (EPT) Rules (Rules) and Statement of Basis, Purpose, Specific Statutory Authority, and Findings, clarifying the state’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (Act). Largely unchanged from its proposed version, the Rules become effective on January 1, 2024. Under the Act, Colorado employers have an…

Visit Page
Arizona Minimum Wage Increases January 1, 2024

Under Arizona’s Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, the state’s minimum wage will increase to $14.35 an hour effective January 1, 2024. The increase will not apply under the following circumstances: If an individual is employed by a parent/sibling, the State of Arizona or the federal government. If a business grosses less than $500,000 in annual revenue and is exempt from paying…

Visit Page
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide PAGA Manageability Issue

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in Estrada v. Royalty Carpet Mills, Inc. A decision in the case is expected to address the current split in California Appellate courts on the issue of trial court authority when it comes to limiting California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims and addressing manageability. PAGA authorizes aggrieved employees to file lawsuits…

Visit Page
Compliance Deadline for New NLRB Joint Employer Final Rule Extended

The National Labor Relations Board’s (the Board) new Final Rule, establishing an expansive new test for determining when an employer is deemed a ‘joint employer,’ is facing legal challenges. A review of the Final Rule’s significant changes can be found here. Actions brought by the Service Employees International Union and a coalition of business groups led by the U.S. Chamber of…

Visit Page
The CA Privacy Protection Agency Contemplates New Privacy Regulations

The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has released proposed draft automated decisionmaking technology (ADMT)[i] regulations defining protections related to businesses’ use of these AI-related technologies. The proposed draft regulations would implement consumers’ rights to opt out of, and access information about, a business’s uses of ADMT, as provided for by the California…

Visit Page
The NLRB – Looking Ahead to 2024

If you found it difficult to keep up with all of the new directives coming from the National Labor Relations Board (the Board) in 2023, buckle up – it looks like more of the same as we head toward 2024. Priorities for the Board and General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo will continue to focus on narrowing existing work rules and expanding Union protections. A few key areas will likely…

Visit Page
OSHA Offers Tips for Preventing Cold-Weather Illness/Injury

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers important winter weather reminders for avoiding workplace illness, injuries or fatalities in workplaces impacted by winter weather. OSHA provides various resources aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to cold weather conditions. A few key reminders for employers this winter…

Visit Page
NLRB Renews OSHA Inter-Agency Enforcement Agreement

The National Labor Relations Board (the Board) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), This latest MOU marks the second interagency agreement signed by the Board this year aimed at strengthening and reinforcing the Board’s expanding enforcement efforts. The MOU…

Visit Page
Managing Holiday Cheer

With the holiday season in full swing and many companies looking forward to once again hosting their employees for in-person holiday parties, it’s a good time to begin managing the holiday cheer. Whether your company will be hosting a formal or casual holiday get together these tips and reminders should help keep things merry and bright! Policy Reminders: It is always a good practice to…

Visit Page
Arizona’s Fair Wages and Healthy Family Act: A Cautionary Tale

The Arizona Court of Appeals recent decision in the case Papias v. Parker Fasteners LLC[i] provides a cautionary tale when it comes to the state’s Fair Wages and Healthy Family Act’s (the Act) anti-retaliation provisions. Papias sued his former employer for retaliation when the company terminated him less than 90-days after he attempted to use paid sick time under the Act. The company’s…

Visit Page
Cal/OSHA Standards Board Proposes Additional Changes to Heat Illness Prevention Standards (Indoor Places of Employment)

On May 18, 2023, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board (Board) held a public hearing to consider modifications to its Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment standard. After receiving oral and written public comment on the proposed revisions, the proposed standard was modified and reissued for public comment.   Key provisions of the modified regulations include:  Removal of…

Visit Page
Cannabis Protection – Changes for California Employers in 2024

Two significant cannabis-related legislative changes are set to take effect in California on January 1, 2024. AB 2188[i] established Cal. Govt. Code section 12954 prohibiting employers from penalizing applicants/employees for off-duty cannabis use that does not impair the individual’s work performance. SB 700[ii] expands protections provided under AB 2188 and prevents employers from…

Visit Page
Updated Form I-9 Now In Effect

As of November 1, 2023, all employers should be using the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) newly revised and updated Form I-9. As discussed here, the USCIS revised and updated its Form I-9 in August 2023. A grace period for use of the old Form was extended through October 31, 2023. However, starting November 1, 2023, all employers must have switched to the new…

Visit Page
Guest Post: 4 Things Employers Should Know About Wages and the Holidays

Please enjoy this insightful article from our friends at Jackson Lewis, Jacklin Rad & Ikedi O. Onyemaobin. As we move into what many refer to as the holiday season, employers may have questions about handling wages and the holidays. Here are four things for employers to understand about holidays and pay for hourly (non-exempt) employees. Hours worked on a holiday, Saturdays or…

Visit Page
Load More