Webinar: Major Overhaul: New PAGA Reform Bill Aims to Streamline Compliance and Reduce Penalties

Description

Major Overhaul: New PAGA Reform Bill Aims to Streamline Compliance and Reduce Penalties

Date: July 11, 2024 at 10 a.m. PT

Speakers: Anne McWilliams, Yaron Tilles, and Anthony Zaller

California employers – learn about the transformative reforms of California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). This legislation, encapsulated in AB 2288 and SB 92, promises to bring substantial changes to the state's wage and hour laws, effective for PAGA actions initiated on or after June 19, 2024.

In this session, the Zaller Law Group attorneys will guide you through the key aspects of the PAGA reform, including:

•    New Standing Requirements: Plaintiffs must now have personally suffered each alleged violation within a one-year statute of limitations, significantly narrowing the scope for bringing PAGA cases.

•    Reduced Penalties: Specific penalty structures are introduced, with reduced fines for employers demonstrating compliance, aimed at deterring frivolous lawsuits.

•    Penalty Caps for Proactive Employers: Employers who take reasonable steps to comply with the Labor Code before receiving a PAGA notice can benefit from capped penalties.

•    Prohibition of Stacking Penalties: The reform prevents employees from recovering multiple penalties for a single underlying wage violation.

•    Judicial Discretion: Enhanced judicial powers to manage cases more effectively by limiting the scope of claims and evidence.

•    Relief for Weekly Payments: Employers paying on a weekly basis will see reduced penalties, addressing the disproportionate penalty exposure compared to biweekly or semimonthly pay periods.

•    Early Resolution Options: Introduction of an Early Evaluation Conference process for small and large employers to address alleged violations early in litigation, promoting swift resolutions and reducing litigation costs.

Join us for this detailed overview of these provisions, discuss their potential impact on employers and employees, and offer practical insights on navigating the new legal landscape.

Register today to ensure your business is ready for these pivotal changes!