A federal court in Georgia on August 26 issued a preliminary injunction that halts the Department of Labor’s implementation of a disturbing regulation that would have forced farms to allow temporary foreign agricultural workers to unionize. The case was brought by Southeastern Legal Foundation on behalf of Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association, Miles Berry Farm, […]
FELS Newsletter: September 2024
FELS Tailgate Safety Training
FELS Tailgate Safety Training Sheet: Wildfire Smoke Safety
Reasonable Accomodations in the Workplace – A Crash Course
In addition to reporting on the latest news regarding employment law, we sometimes like to pause and reflect on day-to-day topics that may provide employers with useful reminders about compliance with state and federal law. You may encounter at your workplace a current or future employee with a disability who requires accommodation. Do you know […]
Form I-9 Update
EXPIRATION DATE EXTENDED: Last year, we updated you on the newest changes to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which involved extensive substantive modifications to various sections of the hiring form. Employers are more than familiar with Form I-9, which verifies the identity and employment authorization of their newly hired employees. […]
As Temperatures Lower, COVID-19 Cases Rise
As California begins to transition from summer to fall, we are hearing reports of COVID-19 cases rising. Although COVID-19 has become something like the common cold and flu season, it is important for employers to remember to comply with Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulation (“Regulations”). As you all remember, on Feb. 3, 2023, Cal/OSHA implemented […]
California’s Minimum Wage is Increasing Again in 2025
Editor’s Note: California Farm Bureau has updated its table Increases in Minimum Wages; Increases in Minimum Salary of Exempt Executive, Administrative, or Professional Employees; Phase In of Overtime Thresholds for Non-Exempt Agricultural Employees found on the CAFB website. On Aug. 1, California’s Department of Finance director officially certified that beginning Jan. 1, California’s minimum wage […]
FELS COO Appointed to WCIRB Board
On Aug. 13, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced the appointment of FELS Chief Operating Officer Bryan Little as a member the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s Governing Committee. The WCIRB Governing Committee sets policy, oversees WCIRB management, and reviews all issues involving pure premium rates, classifications, rating plans, rating systems, manual rules and […]
Is California’s Hot Summer Over for the Year?
The passage of Labor Day may signal the onset of fall in most other areas of the United States, but we know from experience that summer lasts longer in California, so put away the scarfs, mittens, and woolen caps. The National Weather Service has already predicted several bouts of high temperatures in September. To protect […]
Ag Employer Cited for 48-Inch Platform Guardrail Violation
FELS has learned that a Central Valley agricultural employer has been cited by Cal/OSHA for employees loading harvested produce onto a trailer that created a working platform greater than four feet in height lacking guardrails. Cal/OSHA General Industry Safety Order (GISO) 3210 Guardrails at Elevated Locations specifies situations where employers must furnish guardrails at locations […]
UFW Appeals Preliminary Injunction in Wonderful Case
FELS’ parent organization, California Farm Bureau, joined 10 other agricultural employer organizations in an amici curiae brief supporting Wonderful Nurseries’ challenge to the majority support petition procedure under the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, whereby a labor union can become the collective bargaining agent of agricultural employees without winning a secret ballot election. The brief […]
