A frontline service worker at a Cinnabon was recently terminated after a video circulated showing her hurling a racist epithet at a Somali couple. The footage spread quickly with millions of views on TikTok. The employer acted swiftly. And, in a development emblematic of the current digital moment, the terminated employee has since raised more
As we have discussed in prior posts, AI-enabled smart glasses are rapidly evolving from niche wearables into powerful tools with broad workplace appeal — but their innovative capabilities bring equally significant legal and privacy concerns. In Part 1, we addressed compliance issues that arise when these wearables collect biometric information. In Part 2,
Happy Holidays! As we close out 2025, I’m reflecting on an incredible year at Zaller Law Group. This year brought both challenges and opportunities for California employers—from navigating new 2026 legislation to managing the ongoing wave of PAGA litigation, to embracing AI tools that are transforming how businesses operate.
Despite the complexity of California’s regulatory
Artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools are increasingly being marketed as a way to streamline workplace investigations: summarizing evidence, generating interview outlines, comparing witness statements, or even “detecting inconsistencies” in testimony. While these tools may appear to help investigators move faster, public employers should approach AI-assisted investigations with caution. California public agencies have unique obligations to ensure
New York State’s 2025 legislative session marked a notable moment in the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and privacy regulation. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, creating one of the first state-level frameworks aimed specifically at the most advanced AI systems, while vetoing the proposed New York Health Information
President Trump’s sweeping AI Executive Order just stitched another layer onto the already tangled patchwork of state AI regulations — and employers may feel left out in the cold. But we have you covered. This week, we piece together the EO itself, the legal challenges that may cause it to unravel, and tips for employers
As we wind down 2025, here are some of the changes California employers need to be aware of to be prepared in 2026.
State Law
California SB 596: Increases Penalties for Healthcare Staffing Ratio Violations
Senate Bill 20: California Expands Worker Protections Against Silica Dust Exposure
Senate Bill 464: California Mandates Tougher Pay Data Reporting
As the calendar turns to 2026, the tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions offers a unique opportunity for the corporate world. However, a healthy workplace ecosystem relies on a two-way street; it requires commitment from leadership and engagement from the workforce. After all, the modern workplace is a shared environment where legal compliance, culture, and
In what has become an annual tradition for my final post of the year, I present the holiday classic, ‘Twas the Employment Law Night Before Christmas … tweaked and updated for 2025.
To all of my readers, connections, and followers, new and legacy, thank you all for reading, commenting, and sharing throughout the year. Please
Amazon recently announced 14,000 layoffs, but company executives are not blaming the downsizing on financial performance or the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI). Instead, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy attributed the layoffs to a “mismatch in company culture.”
The CEO’s statement has concerned HR professionals. If HR has erred in hiring as many as 14,000