LOS
ANGELES, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
Emil Davtyan, Founder and Managing Attorney at D.Law, recently
joined a panel of legal experts to provide insights on the changing
landscape of labor and employment issues.
Organized by the Los Angeles Times
and published in their March 25, 2024
edition, the Labor & Employment Law panel answered a series of
questions focused on issues of interest to the general public and
to California businesses in
particular.
Legal and business trends were of special interest. On a
question that focused specifically on trends regarding paid time
off (PTO), Davtyan remarked, "The landscape of PTO is evolving,
reflecting broader changes in work culture and employee
expectations. Employers are increasingly adopting flexible PTO
policies to attract and retain talent, recognizing that work-life
balance is a priority for many workers. This shift is partly driven
by the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has altered
perspectives on work, health and personal time.
"Unlimited PTO policies are becoming more common, offering
employees the autonomy to take time off as needed, promoting a
culture of trust and accountability. These changes signify a move
towards more personalized and flexible work arrangements,
understanding that employees have diverse needs and life
responsibilities. Such trends not only benefit employees but can
also enhance organizational productivity and morale, as
well-supported employees are likely to be more engaged and
committed to their work."
In addition to questions on arbitration, discrimination and
harassment, and the current climate for employee whistleblowers,
the panel tackled an issue of interest to almost everyone in the
post-pandemic era: What should employers consider when deciding
whether to have a remote, hybrid, or in-person workplace?
"In deciding between remote, hybrid, or in-person work models,"
Davtyan replied, "employers face a complex set of considerations
that balance operational efficiency, legal compliance, employee
well-being, and company culture. The choice impacts not just where
work gets done, but how it influences productivity, engagement, and
job satisfaction. A primary legal consideration involves adhering
to California's stringent labor
laws, including those governing work hours, breaks, and
reimbursements for work-related expenses, which apply regardless of
the worksite in California."
Davtyan also offered his thoughts on the Private Attorneys
General Act (PAGA), a unique law that lets California workers who believe they have
suffered workplace abuse sue their employers not only for
themselves but for other workers as well. "California has the strongest wage and hour
laws in place to protect workers," noted Davtyan. "Before 2004,
labor laws existed in California
without employees' ability to pursue their rights themselves. They
had to wait for the government to enforce those laws. The
government did not have the resources to enforce all of those laws.
PAGA was enacted in 2004 giving the ability to the employees to
enforce those laws and file lawsuits. And while doing that, PAGA
requires to partially share proceeds with the government for
helping to enforce the laws.
"There is an ongoing effort by billionaire corporations banding
together to rewrite PAGA, to take away the rights of employees to
pursue their wage rights in the court of law, while also helping
the government to fund other important services essential to
Californians."
Contributing to the discussion along with Davtyan were
Richard S. Rosenberg, Partner at
Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt LLP and Todd B. Scherwin, Regional Managing Partner for
Fisher & Phillips LLP. Additional insights provided by the
panel can be found at
https://www.latimes.com/business-insights/story/2024-03-25/emil-davtyan-richard-s-rosenberg-and-todd-b-scherwin-share-insights-on-labor-employment-law
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SOURCE D.Law, Inc.