Seyfarth Synopsis: With Governor Newsom’s October 13 deadline to sign bills behind us, we review California’s new employment laws. The most notable among them are new pay equity requirements, amendments to Cal-WARN and leave laws, and extensions of meal and rest period exemptions for certain industries. According to Chris Micheli, Governor Newsom approved 794
"Same-actor" harassment isn’t immune from Title VII.
A federal judge recently granted summary judgment to Verizon Wireless after it fired a Black employee who twice used the n-word in the store. The employee argued, in part, that because the word came from him (a member of the protected class), his termination was discriminatory.
The court wasn’t having it and dismissed the employee’s
Friday’s Five: California’s New Hiring-AI Rules Are Live — Checks to Run Before Your Next Hire
As of October 1, 2025, California’s Civil Rights Council regulations under FEHA hold employers liable for discrimination arising from the use of automated decision systems (ADS) in hiring. The use of AI or other automated tools does not shield employers from liability; decisions made through such systems are treated as the employer’s own actions. Employers
How You Can Use AI to Promote Diversity in Your Company
The Case for Diversity
Beyond all the moral and ethical reasons for promoting a diverse workforce, the business case for diversity is clear.
A decade ago, a McKinsey study of 366 companies in Canada, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and the United States found clear business advantages for diverse businesses.
According to the study, companies
Employers, you don’t need to be right—you just need to be honest
If you’re an employer disciplining or terminating an employee for workplace misconduct, you don’t have to prove the employee did the bad thing—you just need to honestly believe they did.
In Welch v. Heart Truss & Engineering, the employer fired an employee it believed had spray-painted trusses with graffiti—including devil horns and cartoon boobs.
AI Adoption Surges Among S&P 500 Companies—But So Do the Risks
According to Cybersecurity Dive, artificial intelligence is no longer experimental technology as more than 70% of S&P 500 companies now identify AI as a material risk in their public disclosures, according to a recent report from The Conference Board. In 2023, that percentage was 12%.
The article reports that major companies are no longer
Artificial Intelligence – Issues for Employers to Consider
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent in the workplace, employers should put in place guidelines to ensure that the benefits of AI are not offset by risks associated with its use. This can best be accomplished via a company policy, along with employee training and the designation of a company employee
Using Patient Photos in Marketing? OCR Settlement Highlights HIPAA Compliance Requirements
Businesses across many industries naturally want to showcase their satisfied customers. Whether it’s a university featuring successful graduates, a retailer highlighting happy shoppers, or a healthcare facility showcasing thriving patients, these real-world testimonials can be powerful marketing tools. However, when it comes to healthcare providers subject to HIPAA, using patient images and information for promotional
Weekly Blockchain Blog – Oct. 6, 2025
- U.S. and European Financial Services Firms Announce Digital Asset Integrations
- New Reports Highlight Stablecoin Growth and Future Market Projections
- SEC No-Action Letter Allows Certain DePIN Token Transfers Without Registration
- SEC No-Action Letter Allows State Trust Companies to Custody Crypto Assets
- Canada Fines Major Crypto Exchange; Report Analyzes Crypto Crime Typologies
US and
AI & Employment Law Update: Harper v. Sirius XM Radio, LLC
Technology is re-engineering every aspect of the workplace, including how we find and hire talent. Businesses of all sizes are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline hiring, from sifting through thousands of resumes to conducting screenings. Embracing innovation is a key trait of successful businesses, but it’s important to do so responsibly, as