California, Hospitality, Leaves of Absence, State Developments, Wage and Hour, Workplace Safety and Health

California Governor Marks Labor Day 2022 by Signing FAST Recovery Act Into Law

September 7, 2022

Karen F. Tynan Sacramento Author

Robert C. Rodriguez Sacramento Author

Haidy M. Rivera Sacramento Author

On September 5, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom marked Labor Day 2022 by signing Assembly Bill (AB) No. 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST Recovery Act), into law. The new law creates the Fast Food Council within the California Department of Industrial Relations, which is tasked with setting minimum standards for fast-food industry workers related to wages, health and safety conditions, security in the workplace, the time off from work for protected purposes, and protections from discrimination and harassment.

Ogletree Deakins will continue to monitor developments with respect to the FAST Recovery Act and will post updates on the firm’s California and Hospitality blogs as additional information becomes available. Important information for employers is also available via the firm’s webinar and podcast programs.

COVID-19 Whistleblowers Have New Rights in Philadelphia

Philadelphia recently enacted a new city ordinance protecting whistleblowers who report unsafe workplace conditions related to COVID-19.

OSHA to Require Employers With 100+ Employees to Ensure Workers Are Vaccinated or Tested Weekly

On September 9, 2021, the Biden administration announced a new plan to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the United States. A critical component of that plan calls on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop and implement a new emergency temporary standard (ETS) to require employers with more than 100 employees to require that their employees are either fully vaccinated or subject to COVID-19 testing at least once per week.

Man talking to woman while writing on notepad, framed by justice scale on desk.

SEC Brings First Enforcement Action Targeting Language Contained in Confidentiality Agreements

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been vocal about its concerns regarding the effects of confidentiality provisions on the agency’s enforcement efforts and on the rights of whistleblowers, and has even asked several companies for years of employment contracts, nondisclosure agreements, and other documents formed with their employees. Chief of the SEC Office of the Whistleblower Sean McKessy said that his office would be on the lookout for contracts that have a chilling effect on employees’ bringing allegations of wrongdoing to the SEC’s attention.

Recommended Reading

COVID-19 Whistleblowers Have New Rights in Philadelphia

OSHA to Require Employers With 100+ Employees to Ensure Workers Are Vaccinated or Tested Weekly

SEC Brings First Enforcement Action Targeting Language Contained in Confidentiality Agreements