FELS Newsletter: May 2026

FELS Newsletter: May 2026

Concurring with arguments in an amici curiae brief filed by California Farm Bureau and the National Council of Agricultural Employers, on May 14, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California denied motions by United Farm Workers (UFW) for a preliminary injunction and a stay of implementation of the U.S. Department of Labor’s […]

As springtime temperatures are reaching into the 90s in some areas, extreme-heat warnings for temperatures well over 100˚ have been issued in some areas of California. These conditions may be harbingers of another hot California summer. Are you ready? California employers are required by Cal/OSHA regulations to protect employees from heat in both indoor and […]

California Legislature’s 2024 reforms of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) (See PAGA Reform Deal Struck, FELS Newsletter, July 2024) provided some solid opportunities for employers to begin blunting the worst lawsuit abuses from the 2004 law meant to allow employees who suffered unpaid minimum wages, overtime wages, unprovided rest or meal periods, and reimbursement […]

Thinking about using the H-2A visa program to ensure labor stability? This series breaks down the fundamentals in clear, plain language—so you can understand your options and what it really takes to get started with confidence. Through a strategic partnership with the Worker and Farm Labor Association (WAFLA), FELS members receive exclusive benefits, including deep […]

FELS members are requesting information about rattlesnake safety on their farms and ranches, and members of the general public are encountering them in greater numbers and in greater frequency than in recent years. (See: Rattlesnake Encounters in California Are Rising Earlier and More Often in 2025; Sierra Daily News, May 15, 2025. That means you […]

Electricity is a wonderful modern convenience that is widely regarded as an essential public utility, providing us with everything from lighting, comfortable living and working spaces, food preservation and cooking, and increasingly even providing motive power for our personal transportation. We all know, however, that electricity can be dangerous if it’s not handled safely. This […]

Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity may be ramping up soon. Reports of Form I-9 inspection notice numbers and audits are appearing on social and legacy media. ICE has recently changed its policy on “de minimus” I-9 documentation violations in ways that are likely to result in much higher penalties for I-9 violations. Are you ready? […]

Safety Training for Agricultural Employees: Rattlesnake Safety