We invite you to review our newly-posted January 2024 California Employment Law Notes, a comprehensive review of the latest and most significant developments in California employment law. The highlights include:
rest break

Rest-Break Class Gets Second Chance for Class Certification
Miles v. Kirkland’s Stores, 2024 WL 74698 (9th Cir. 2024)
Ariana Miles was employed by Kirkland’s, a chain of home décor stores, from February 2011 to July 2018. She sued her former employer under two theories. First, she alleged that the company unlawfully required its employees to remain in the store during their rest breaks. She also alleged that employees were forced to work…
March 2023 California Employment Law Notes
We invite you to review our newly-posted March 2023 California Employment Law Notes, a comprehensive review of the latest and most significant developments in California employment law. The highlights include:
- No Claim By Employee Who Was Friends With Alleged Harasser
- Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit Was Properly Dismissed
- Employer That Failed To Layoff Employee Before She Became Disabled May Have Discriminated
- Court Compels Individual But Not
…
Good Faith Is Defense To Labor Code’s “Knowing And Intentional” Standard
Naranjo v. Spectrum Sec. Servs., Inc., 2023 WL 2261253 (Cal. Ct. App. 2023)
After holding that premium payments from meal and rest period violations under Labor Code section 226.7 constituted “wages,” the California Supreme Court remanded to the Court of Appeal to resolve two questions: First, whether in failing to timely pay employees premium pay, the trial court erred in finding the employer had…
January 2023 California Employment Law Notes
We invite you to review our newly-posted January 2023 California Employment Law Notes, a comprehensive review of the latest and most significant developments in California employment law. The highlights include:
- Age/National Origin Case Was Properly Dismissed Despite “Direct Evidence” Of Discriminatory Animus
- Family Court May Order Employer To Provide Determination Of Arrearages Owed In Spousal Support Case
- Background Check Agency May Have Violated State
…
Outside Salesperson Exemption Does Not Apply To Workers Whose Employer Controls Their Hours And Working Conditions
Espinoza v. Warehouse Demo Servs., Inc., 86 Cal. App. 5th 1184 (2022)
Georgina Espinoza, an employee of Warehouse Demo Services (“Warehouse”), worked in a Costco and performed demonstrations of products. Warehouse did not lease the space, but instead collects floor space on behalf of the companies whose products are demonstrated and then remits payment on their behalf to Costco. Espinoza brought a class action…
Labor Commissioner Issues New Guidance On Breaks
The California Labor Commissioner recently issued a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) memo regarding breaks and lactation accommodation. The FAQ memo contains no new concepts, but emphasizes the following longstanding principles:
- California employers must authorize and permit a net 10-minute paid rest period for every four hours worked (or major fraction thereof). To the extent practicable, the rest period should be in the middle of the
…