POSTPONED: April 16, 2024 April 29, 2024: Workplace Violence and Unions on the Farm: Are you up-to-speed on the new workplace violence regulations and its requirements? How about unions and their campaign to unionize California ag employers? (Don't laugh -- it's happening right now!) Join us on this webinar presented by Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, San Joaquin Farm Bureau, and Farm Employers Labor Service to learn about workplace violence requirements, card check, and resources from FELS and Farm Bureau to help you!
When? 10 AM 1 PM
Where? Your desktop, laptop, or your favorite web-enabled device?
May 31, 2024: USDOL is Inspecting California Farms! Are You Ready? The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is actively enforcing federal wage and hour and agricultural employment requirements with farm labor contractors and growers. California has also stepped-up onsite visits through its Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF). Many employers are not fully prepared for potential consequences, which can include substantial citations and, in extreme circumstances, criminal prosecution.
Don’t hope you go unnoticed! Rosasco Law Group CEO Erica Rosasco will train you to be ready for an inspection. Employers and their supervisors should familiarize themselves with their rights before state or federal inspectors arrive. How you handle an investigation can make a huge difference!
When? May 31, 2024, 10:00 AM
Where? Your phone, laptop, tablet or your favorite web-enabled device
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Past FELS Webinars/Webinar Videos/Presentation Slides:
Mar. 15, 2024: Labor Stability with wafla; a New Opportunity to Use the H-2A program to Stabilize Your Workforce: Our audience learned more about FELS' new subscriber benefit, an alliance with wafla, the premier west-coast provider member association for farm employers looking to use the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program. wafla's high-touch, extensive customer service approach is uniquely suited to smaller H-2A program users like FELS Newsletter subscribers, FELS clients and Farm Bureau members. FELS COO Bryan Little and wafla CEO Enrique Gastellum explained how FELS subscribers and clients can access special FELS-exclusive benefits to access the H-2A program the wafla way -- making labor stability your reality!
You can watch a video of this webinar here.
Card Check and Ag Employers, One Year Later: What Does It Mean for You? What Have We Learned from the First Year of Card Check? February 23, 2024: Governor Newsom signed the UFW’s “card check” legislation (AB 2183) in September 2022 and signed a budget trailer bill with further revisions (AB 113) in May 2023; together, these two bills totally upended the election process under the Agricultural Labor Relations Act.
Seth Mehrten of FELS’ Group Legal Services Program partner firm Barsamian & Moody reviewed the early actions of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, including proposed regulations implementing AB 2183/AB 113 and the Board’s handling of early card check petitions to help you make sense of this sweeping change in California’s agricultural labor relations law and understand how it may impact your farming or ranching business.
You can watch a video recording of Seth's presentation here.
You can review slides of Seth's presentation here.
2024 Agricultural Employment Regulatory & Legislative Update: Bryan Little of Farm Employers Labor Service and Rebecca Hause-Scultz of Fisher & Phillips, LLC updated our viewers on what's new (or just changing, again) for 2024:
- Minimum Wage
- Overtime
- Paid Sick Leave
- CalSavers
- Workplace Violence Plan requirement
- and More!
You can view a recording of the webinar here. (use passcode: A=a9j3Id)
You can review the presentation slides here.
California’s NEW General Industry Workplace Violence Prevention Law: Rachel L. Conn and Megan S. Shaked from Conn Maciel Carey’s Cal/OSHA and California Employment Law Practices briefed participant on the new California workplace violence prevention legislation that will impact virtually every employer in the state of California.
With SB 553 (Workplace Violence Prevention) beginning to go into effect in January 2024, employers need to work quickly to understand their new compliance obligations and begin to develop and prepare to implement the onerous new requirements. This program will be a deep dive into the new requirements, the ways various employment laws can be triggered while implementing a workplace violence prevention program, and tips and strategies for employers.
You can view a recording of the webinar here.
You can review the Ms. Conn's and Ms. Shaked's presentation slides here.
Labor Stability with wafla; a New Opportunity to Use the H-2A program to Stabilize Your Workforce: Learn more about FELS' new subscriber benefit, an alliance with wafla, the premier west-coast provider member association for farm employers looking to use the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program. wafla's high-touch, extensive customer service approach is uniquely suited to smaller H-2A program users like FELS Newsletter subscribers, FELS clients and Farm Bureau members. FELS COO Bryan Little and wafla CEO Enrique Gastellum explained how FELS subscribers and clients can access special FELS-exclusive benefits to access the H-2A program the wafla way -- making labor stability your reality!
You can view a video of Enrique's presentation here.
You can review Enrique's presentation slides here.
New Form I-9: What You Need to Know: The Department of Homeland Security has published a new Form I-9, and it's very different from I-9s past. How is it different? Where are the "trap doors?" When are you required to begin using it? Catherine Houlihan of FELS Group Legal Services Program partner firm Barsamian & Moody unraveled the mysteries of the new Form I-9 for you our webinar viewers!
You can view a video of Catherine's presentation here (Passcode: %8%qSt3g)
You can review Catherine's presentation slides here
Do You Really Need to Keep Old I9s Forever, and Other Questions About I-9 Compliance June 6, 2023: Agricultural employers face many paperwork requirements. One constant headache is I-9 forms. The form is complicated, and there are very specific rules an employer is required to follow. Do you know all of those rules? Do you know how long you must keep I-9s and when you can discard them? Jen Shaw of Shaw Law Group walked our audience through from A-Z on I-9 Compliance issues.
You can view a video of Jen's webinar here
You can review Jen's presentation slides here
Understanding California’s Pay Data Reporting Requirements: California employers are now subject to greater pay transparency requirements. The recent amendments to California’s current pay data reporting law make it among the strictest in the country. On this webinar, Shaw Law Group expert Jen Shaw leads an interactive discussion of Senate Bill 1162 and the Pay Data Report requirements, including:
- A review of the new FAQs in this area
- How to ensure your pay data reports are compliant
- Understanding the meaning of “labor contractor” and your responsibilities in this area
- How to audit your compensation practices to identify potential risk areas
Review Jen's powerpoint slides
SB 1162: New Pay Transparency Requirements for California Employers: SB 1162 (Limon) will add new reporting burdens for California employers in the name of gender equality. What will you need to do to comply? Catherine Houlihan of FELS Group Legal Services Program partner firm Barsamian & Moody explained.
Link to the California Civil Rights Department's pay reporting portal
Catherine Houlihan's presentation slides
Video of the pay transparency webinar
How Do Ag Employers Deal with the Moving Target of Drug Testing? Many employers, including ag employers, conduct various types of drug testing to assure employees are not impaired in the workplace. Impaired employees pose a real hazard in workplaces with large, powerful and dangerous machinery, and even with employees performing common, every-day tasks. California policymakers have erected various roadblocks and limitations on how employers can ensure the safety of their employees is not threatened by impaired fellow employees. The Governor recently signed into law AB 2188 (Quirk) restricting cannabis testing. How can an ag employer sort all this out? Catherine Houlihan of FELS Group Legal Services Plan partner firm Barsamian & Moody explained it all so you can understand what you can (and what you can’t) do to ensure drug impairment doesn’t endanger the safety of your employees.
You can review Catherine's presentation slides here
You can view a video of the webinar here
CalSavers Is Expanding: Are You Ready? CalSavers, California's mandatory employee opt-out retirement savings program is expanding to cover employers of one or more employees (other than the business owner); in other words all employers in California! As of December 31, 2025, all employers will be mandated to register with CalSavers if they are not already furnishing their employees with an IRS tax-favored retirement savings option. Jonathan Herrera, Outreach & Marketing Manager for the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program will brief webinar attendees on the CalSavers program, employer registration, and employer responsibilities. Paul Yossem of Nationwide will explain the CFBF 401k program (Retirement Plan Options Chart; CAFB 401K Program Brochure) available to Farm Bureau members to furnish a tax-favored retirement savings option for employers who prefer not to participate in CalSavers.
You can view a video of the webinar here
Card Check and Ag Employers: What Does AB 2183 Mean for You? Governor Newsom has signed the UFW’s “card check” legislation (AB 2183), totally upending the election process under the Agricultural Labor Relations Act. AB 2183 enacts a complex, bifurcated union election process that will likely entirely replace secret ballot elections with either mail-in balloting or card check; either will provide multiple opportunities for union agents to intimidate and deceive your employees into opting for union representation under ALRB rules that will make it difficult to impossible for employees to reverse when they realize the union can’t keep its extravagant promises. This webinar featured Pat Moody of FELS’ Group Legal Services Program partner firm Barsamian & Moody to help you make sense of this sweeping change in California’s agricultural labor relations law and understand how it may impact your farming or ranching business.
You can view a video of the webinar here; access code is: GC!9aBz3
You can review Pat's presentation slides here
The California Consumer Privacy Act is Coming Soon; Are You Ready? Before the California Legislature adjourned for 2022, it failed to extend an exemption to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for business-to-business and employee-related information. CCPA imposes detailed (and possibly expensive) security and privacy protections for this data; what will you be required to do to comply? Julie Kadish of the Chicago office of national law firm Sheppard Mullin explained how (or if) CCPA applies to your business and what you need to do and need to know before January 1, 2023. Julie is an associate in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm's Chicago office. She is a Lead Associate of Sheppard Mullin's Privacy and Cybersecurity Team.
You can view a video of Julie's presentation here.
Arbitration Agreements for California Ag Employers: Do I Need One? How Do I Get One?: California policymakers keep trying to narrow employers’ use of arbitration agreements that require employees to arbitrate disputes over employment-related matters. Federal courts, including in the recent Viking River Cruises case, push back by asserting federal preemption. Employers and their counsel push arbitration rather than resort to California’s crowded and expensive litigation system where the deck is already stacked against employers by the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), liberal and sometimes hostile judges, and unsympathetic juries. How will an arbitration policy help you as an employer in California? How big a victory was Viking River Cruises, and how will the union- and employee-friendly California Legislature respond? Catherine Houlihan of FELS Group Legal Services plan partner firm Barsamian & Moody explained it for our audience.
You can view a video of Catherine's presentation here.
You can review Catherine's presentation slides here.
Employer Rights During a DOL Investigation: Do you know what to do if you find yourself the unlucky employer chosen for a Department of Labor (DOL) workplace inspection? Catherine Houlihan, Associate Attorney with FELS Group Legal Services Plan partner firm Barsamian & Moody helped our viewers come up with a DOL inspection action plan.
You can review Catherine's presentation slides here.
You can view of video of the webinar here.
CalSavers Sign-Up Deadline Coming Soon: Are You Ready? CalSavers, California's mandatory employee opt-out retirement savings program is gradually being applied to smaller and smaller employers; in June 2022, employees of 5 or more employees will be mandated to register with CalSavers if they are not already furnishing their employees with an IRS tax-favored retirement savings option. Jonathan Herrera, Outreach & Marketing Manager for the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program will briefed webinar attendees on the CalSavers program, employer registration, and employer responsibilities. Paul Yossem of Nationwide will explained the Nationwide 401k program available to Farm Bureau members to furnish a tax-favored retirement savings option for employers who prefer not to participate in CalSavers.
You can view a video of the webinar here.
ALRB Do's and Don'ts: An Overview of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act and the Agricultural Labor Relations Board: Rights to protected concerted activity and other rights protected by the Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA) apply to employees even in non-union workplaces. Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) chair Victoria Hassid will offered insight into the Board's enforcement of these rights.
You can review Chair Hassid's presentation slides here.
Chair Hassid also furnished a fact sheet on employee ALRA rights and Board enforcement here.
Streamlining Your Employment Compliance with Harvust: Farm Employers Labor Services is partnering with Harvust, 2021 American Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year, to offer electronic and remote software solutions for hiring, training, and communicating with your employees. FELS subscribers can find FELS training and hiring materials ready to go on Harvust and will receive $500 free use of Harvust tools when they sign up. Riley Clubb, owner of Harvust, briefed webinar participants on how Harvust is streamlining labor compliance for farms in California today, and how FELS subscribers can easily modernize their own workplace and safety culture.
You can view Riley's presentation slides here.
Is "Long COVID" a Disability? What Does That Mean for Employers? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor believe “Long COVID” may qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), possibly triggering requirements for employers to make reasonable accommodations for such individuals. How do you need to deal with “COVID Long-Haulers?” How do you, engage in the ADA-required interactive process, manage reasonable accommodations (or make sure you know what a “reasonable accommodation” is?) and how does California Family Rights Act/federal Family and Medical Leave Act job-protected leave, California Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, AB 1522 paid sick leave, vacation benefits, and even your leave of absence policies fit into this? Erica Rosasco of McKague Rosasco walked our audience through this new thicket of requirements for California agricultural employers.
You can watch the recording of Erica's presentation here (passcode is: gwXg^GA7).
You can review Erica's presentation slides here.
Wage & Hour Workshop with Seth Mehrten: Wage and hour litigation continues to plague California employers - Ag employers are no exception. Seth Mehrten of FELS Group Legal Service Plan partner law firm Barsamian & Moody will conduct a two-part workshop on wage-and-hour law and regulations impacting California agricultural employers, including topics like minimum wages, overtime, meal and rest period requirements, and more. This webinar will cover the most frequently litigated wage and hour issues and discuss specific strategies that employers can implement to proactively manage their wage and hour compliance. You can view Seth's presentation slides here. You can view video of Seth's two-day presentation on here and here.
California Family Rights Act Expansion: Are you Covered? How do You Know? The California Legislature passed SB 1383 (Jackson) in 2020, and it became effective on January 1, 2021. It expanded coverage under the California Family Right Act (CFRA) from employers of 50 or more employees to employees of five or more employees. Does this dramatic expansion of CFRA sweep you under its coverage for the first time? What does it require to do? Do you even know what "CFRA" is? Erica Rosasco of McKague Rosasco presented a briefing on CFRA and it's requirements for employers so you'll know what CFRA is, and what it requires you to do. You can view Erica's presentation slides here. You can view a recording of the webinar here.
California Family Rights Act Requirements for Small Employers: featuring Seth Mehrten, Barsamian & Moody. The governor has signed SB 1383, expanding coverage of California's Family and Medical Rights Act to employers of as few as five employees; until now, CFRA covered only employees of 50 or more. What do small employers need to know about CFRA?
You can view a recording of Seth's presentation here. B&M is the partner with Farm Employers Labor Service providing legal assistance for FELS Newsletter subscribers and clients.
Outdoor Operations During Hours of Darkness: California Farm Bureau and FELS, the Califorina Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and the California Farm Labor Contractor Association (CFLCA) presented a webinar on the new standard on night work in agriculture, which will become effective on July 1, 2020.
You can view the video of the webinar at this link; you can access the slide deck at this link.