The California Legislature tends to pass the hard-hitting employment law changes at the end of its session. Here are key updates employers should be aware of.

• AB 9 | DFEH Claims Extended. Extends the statute of limitations to three years for all claims filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), like claims for sexual harassment, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Extending the time to file a claim highlights the need for employers to document all claims, investigations, and discipline.
• AB 51 | Ban on Mandatory Arbitration. Employers will soon no longer be able to require employees to execute arbitration agreements as a condition of employment. However, it is unclear if agreements subject to the Federal Arbitration Act are exempt. The bill applies to contracts entered into, modified, or extended on or after January 1, 2020. Stay tuned … legal challenges are on the horizon.
• AB 749 | No Rehire Agreements. Employers cannot enter into settlement agreements whereby an employee, who has made a claim against the employer, agrees they cannot obtain future employment from the employer. The rule does not apply where the employer made a good faith determination that the employee engaged in sexual harassment or sexual assault.
• SB 142 | Lactation Accommodations. Employer obligations for lactation accommodations are expanded to provide nursing individuals with break time “each time such employee has need to express breast milk.” There are also increased requirements for an approved lactation room. Employers must also provide employees with a written lactation accommodation policy.
• SB 188 | Hairstyle Protections. SB 188 amended the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to include protections for hairstyles, subject to limited exceptions.
• SB 707 | Arbitration Fees. If an employer with an arbitration agreement fails to pay the required fees to initiate an arbitration proceeding within 30 days after the due date, it is in material breach of the arbitration agreement, is in default of the arbitration, and waives its right to compel arbitration.

Action Items