What Does Union Card Check Mean for Employers
  January 25, 2023

Governor Newsom signed AB 2183, the ‘card check bill’, effective January 2023. What do these changes to the union election process under the Agricultural Labor Relations Act mean for your business? Understand the alternatives for union elections from secret ballot to mail-in to card check, and the new regulations employers may be held to for allowing union agents access, maintaining employee records, challenging ballot cards, posting bonds, and retaliation presumptions. Learn about future changes we can expect from the deal the Governor made with the UFW, how the ALRB is preparing, and what employers can do to be ready for these changes.

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Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Standard: End of the ETS?
December 20, 2022

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After two years of COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards with persistent revisions and readoptions, the ETS is set to expire at the end of the year. The Standards Board is set to vote on a proposed nonemergency standard December 15. What does this mean for employers? Do COVID-19 Prevention Plans need to be updated? Contact tracing and notification procedures maintained? Are employees still entitled to exclusion pay? When does this go into effect and when do employers have to ensure compliance? Join us for answers to critical questions on this next phase of tackling COVID-19.

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Crop Insurance 101
October 26, 2022

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As we continue to face challenges of excessive heat, wildfires, and smoke, crop insurance can help manage risks and safeguard your business and that of your clients and partners. Learn how policies work, who is eligible, how claims are paid, the importance of prompt testing for smoke exposures. This will allow you to prepare for critical deadlines on the horizon:

• Citrus/Blueberries – November 20^th
• Almonds/Pistachios Crops – December 31^st
• Grapes/Walnuts/Stonefruit/Tomatoes – January 31^st
• Whole Farm Revenue Coverage (all crops)/Rice – February 28^th

*Additional insurable crops deadlines apply, not listed here.

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COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave: The NeverEnding Story
September 22, 2022

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AB152 is awaiting the Governor's signature to extend COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave through December 31, 2022. Does this make additional leave available to employees? Have proof of infection and testing procedures been updated? Are reporting requirements changing? Join us for an expert explanation of what employers need to know about this latest extension of SPSL.

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What is happening with PAGA? Are arbitration agreements enforceable? Are PAGA carve-outs in or out? What is an individual or representative claim? Get past the legal parlance for a straightforward explanation of what the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision means for employers including:

• Key updates to ensure your arbitration agreement is enforceable.
• Considerations when implementing arbitration agreements for new and existing employees.
• How to minimize exposure to PAGA claims.
• What does the future hold for arbitration agreements and PAGA?

Since 2004 California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) has allowed employees to file suit against their employers, as an individual or as a collective unit, on behalf of the state for Labor Code violations (minimum wage, overtime, meal and rest breaks, etc.). On June 15, 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana held that companies can compel arbitration of an individual’s PAGA claim. This ruling alters the landscape but is likely not the last word as the California Legislature may act in response, with the California Attorney General emphasizing that employees without arbitration agreements can still bring PAGA suits.

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Gerardo Hernandez- Shareholder, Littler

Why would an employer invite Cal/OSHA, when most hope to stay out of the limelight? The employer friendly arm of Cal/OSHA can help strengthen workplace safety culture, enhance your marketability to growers, and reduce costs through free Consultation Services and the Golden Gate Recognition Program. Cal/OSHA Consultation Services is not a mole or undercover agent! They don't issue citations and are a completely separate program which does not share information with Cal/OSHA Enforcement. Join us to learn about resources available to employers, what to expect through the process, and how actively working with Consultation can benefit your workers and your business.

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Gary McIver- Senior Safety Engineer, Cal/OSHA Consultation

All employers with 5 or more employees must register CalSavers, a state-sponsored retirement plan, and facilitate their employees access by June 30, 2022 (employers who sponsor their own qualified retirement plan are exempt).

Join us to learn what this state-sponsored plan is all about – your requirements as an employer, and the impacts on and options available to employees. We’ll also explore EZ$SAVINGS4U (unaffiliated with CalSavers): an easy to implement option for employers concerned about costs and liabilities associated with sponsoring a retirement plan, including concerns related to seasonal workers with high turnover rates and variable hour employment.