MNK Law

On March 10, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from a former California fire chief who claimed he was fired because of his Christian faith. The case, brought by Ronald Hittle, had the potential to reshape how courts handle employment discrimination claims but failed to gain enough support among the justices. To learn more about the Supreme Courts decision, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gTFrPfGw Article By: Shakti Vadgama

California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) remains a hot topic, with recent court decisions making it even more complicated for both workers and employers. In Leeper v. Shipt, the court ruled that every PAGA lawsuit must include an individual claim, meaning many cases would have to go through arbitration. This decision favored employers, as arbitration can be a quicker and more controlled way to resolve disputes. However, just days later, Rodriguez v. Packers took the opposite stance, saying an employee can waive their individual claim while still bringing a case on behalf of other workers. While this seemed like a win for employees, the court didn’t fully confirm that such claims are legally valid, leaving room for further legal challenges. To learn more about ruling, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/g86G3W9f Article By: Nellie Azimzadeh

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that grants eligible employees the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. Filing FMLA lawsuits might have become more difficult now. In the past, employees only had to show that taking FMLA leave was one factor in an employer’s decision to discipline or terminate them. However, a recent decision, Lapham v. Walgreen Co., now requires employees to prove that retaliation was the sole reason for the adverse action, making it much harder to win these cases for the employees. Employers have often struggled with situations where last-minute absences disrupt operations. To learn more about this decision, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gbcaW5sr Article By: Nellie Azimzadeh

Recent legal decisions and amendments highlight significant shifts in the landscape of labor law, affirming and expanding employers’ rights in California, while benefiting personally aggrieved employees as well. In EMD Sales, Inc. v. Carrera, the Supreme Court clarified the standard of proof employers must satisfy when defending against Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime claims. In Leeper v. Shipt, Inc., the California Court of Appeal addressed arbitration requirements in the context of the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA). Meanwhile, changes to the PAGA framework itself took effect on January 1, 2025, with SB 92 introducing amendments that refine the standing requirements, penalties, and litigation procedures, offering new protections and opportunities for both employees and employers. Employees and Employers alike can contact MNK Law for advice regarding these or any other legal matters. To learn more about these decisions, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/g8rdTye7 Article By: Jeff Vien

With the influx of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the workplace, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued two legal advisories to guide businesses, particularly those in healthcare, and consumers on their rights and responsibilities regarding AI. The advisories address how AI intersects with California’s existing laws, such as consumer protection, civil rights, and data privacy, and outline new laws that took effect on January 1, 2025. Bonta emphasized that while AI is evolving rapidly, businesses must ensure compliance with both established and newly enacted regulations. To learn more about what Attorney General Rob Bonta said, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/g8Cp6885 Article By: Kaitlyn Alexander

On January 15, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a significant decision in favor of employers concerning how they prove employees are properly classified as exempt from minimum wage and overtime pay under federal law. In a unanimous ruling, the Court clarified that employers need only meet the “preponderance of the evidence” standard; a lower burden of proof commonly used in civil cases. This replaces the stricter “clear and convincing” evidence standard previously applied by one federal appeals court. This decision simplifies compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and sets a uniform standard across the country, reducing litigation risks for employers. To learn more about this decision, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gmm6CTSt Article By: Nellie Azimzadeh

A recent case provides lessons for employers in navigating legal complaints during and after their resolution. The employee in this case, Riley Bockus, successfully won a back-pay settlement against their employer, Bevins & Son, Inc. After the employee won the settlement, the employee alleged that their former employer had engaged in retaliatory behavior by using social media to publicly criticize the employee. To learn more about this case, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gc4KqM6d Article By: @Jeff Vien

California wildfires have become increasingly frequent and severe in recent years, posing significant challenges not only to individuals but also to businesses across the state. These disasters affect businesses directly through property damage and operational disruptions, as well as indirectly by influencing consumer behavior, insurance costs, and the overall economic climate. Here’s an analysis of how the recent California wildfires can impact businesses and what steps companies can take to mitigate these risks. To learn more about these steps, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gh9QYifs Article By: Shakti Vadgama

California business groups have filed a lawsuit to block the state’s new law, Senate Bill 399, which went into effect on January 1, 2025. The law makes it illegal for employers to penalize employees who refuse to attend meetings that discuss political or religious opinions, including matters related to unionization. These meetings, often referred to as “captive audience meetings,” have long been criticized by unions for intimidating employees and discouraging unionization. The legislation was authored by State Senator Aisha Wahab and is part of a broader set of workplace laws introduced in California. To learn more about this lawsuit, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gJRjtN-Z Article By: Kaitlyn Alexander

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued a significant ruling halting the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which had been set to require businesses to disclose corporate and personal information by January 13, 2025. This decision marks a dramatic reversal, following a prior ruling just days earlier that had reinstated the reporting requirements. The new halt came after a December 26 ruling by another 5th Circuit panel, which reinstated a nationwide injunction to preserve the status quo while the court reviews the substantive arguments in the case. A hearing is scheduled for March 2025, with briefing schedules set for February. To learn more about this ruling, check out our blog: https://lnkd.in/gSQDsgyy Article By: Kaitlyn Alexander