James Ward
James W. Ward joined the CalChamber in June 2019 as an employment law subject matter expert/legal writer and editor. In that position, he enhances the ongoing efforts of the CalChamber legal affairs team to explain for nonlawyers how statutes, regulations and court cases affect California businesses and employers. Ward holds a B.A. in humanities, magna cum laude, and an M.A. in history from California State University, Sacramento. He earned his J.D. with great distinction from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, where he was staff editor of the Pacific McGeorge Global Business and Development Law Journal, and served on the Moot Court Honors Board. See full bio.
New California Law Expands Pay Scale Disclosure, Pay Data Reporting Requirements
On September 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1162, which requires employers to make pay scales available to job applicants and employees as well...
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Allows Arbitration of Individual PAGA Claims
In a win for California employers, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that individual claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) can be...
New Federal Law Prohibits Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment, Assault Claims
On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (the Act), which amends...
Some Mask Rules Lifted for Vaccinated People, Rules Still in Place for Unvaccinated Individuals
California’s universal mask requirement for vaccinated individuals expired yesterday, but unvaccinated persons still are required to mask up in indoor public settings and businesses,...
New 2022 California Employment Laws
This year’s legislative session officially ended with Governor Newsom signing the last batch of bills over the weekend. The COVID-19 pandemic was still challenging...
California Court Ruling Could Complicate Background Checks
California employers should take note of a recent appellate court case that could complicate employment background checks.
When conducting background checks, it’s common to search...
Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke Exposure
We’re in the midst of California’s 2021 wildfire season, and given the state’s currently hot and dry climate, the California Department of Forestry and Fire...
COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Released
On March 4, 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) updated its COVID-19 guidance, addressing several vaccination-related questions. The updated guidance replaces...
COVID-19 Prevention Program Emergency Regulation Adopted
On November 19, 2020, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) voted to adopt a comprehensive and complex COVID-19 emergency regulation addressing a variety...
Independent Contractor or Employee? California’s Worker Classification Law Revised
Only last year California’s biggest labor law development was the new worker classification law, AB 5, which codified the California Supreme Court’s Dynamex ruling...
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Extended for COVID-19
Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-62-20 extending workers’ compensation benefits to employees who contract COVID-19 while working outside of their homes during...
Required FFCRA Documentation, Recordkeeping for New Federal Paid Leave (COVID-19)
The new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has dominated employers’ attention with its provisions for emergency paid sick leave and expanded family and...
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Passes
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed additional emergency relief legislation known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act). Passed because...
California Consumer Privacy Act — Employers Need to Be Ready January 1
Starting January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) significantly changes California’s consumer data collection rules and give consumers more control over how...
Governor Newsom Signs New 2020 Employment Laws
Sunday, October 13, 2019, was the last day for Governor Gavin Newsom to either sign or veto legislation that the California Legislature passed in...