CEB Contributor
Anthony Zaller
Partner at Zaller Law Group, PC
Anthony Zaller has spent his career as an employment litigation attorney defending California employers. He is founding partner of Zaller Law Group. Primarily focused on helping businesses and entrepreneurs navigate California’s complex employment and business laws, Mr. Zaller advises his clients through litigation, governmental agency investigations, and legal compliance issues.
Educational History • J.D. and MBA from Loyola Law School • BS in Philosophy, cum laude, from Loyola Marymount University"
Mr. Zaller is a co-update author for “Advising California Employers and Employees,” and co-update author of Chapter 10 (Employee Handbooks, 2022 and 2023), both published by CEB. He has also been featured in various California and national news publications, including Restaurant Business News, National Public Radio Inc., Entrepreneur, Silicon Valley Business Journal, Nation's Restaurant News, KTLA 5 (featured in news story on employee's privacy rights on social media), CBS Los Angeles (California Employment Law 101: What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know), Daily Journal, and the Los Angeles Times.
CEB Region:
SoCal RegionPractice Areas:
Employment Law
Content by Anthony Zaller
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Exploring the Legal Requirements for Electronic Timekeeping Systems in California
April 12, 2023
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Wage & Hour
Do employers need to have a computerized timekeeping system to comply with their requirements under California law? Surprisingly (or maybe not so – depending on your views on how slow the law is in adapting to technological advances), the Labor Code does not address this issue right on point. Yet, there are some governing principles employers can review in making the decision on what practices are best for their business. Here are five key obligations employers should consider when setting up time keeping systems:
Why Companies Need To Develop Employment Law Checklists
March 20, 2023
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies
As California employers already know, noncompliance with the numerous employment regulations can result in serious legal consequences, monetary penalties, and damage to an organization’s reputation. One of the most effective ways for employers to ensure compliance with employment laws is by using checklists. Checklists are useful tools that can help employers keep track of their compliance obligations and reduce the risk. It has been established that checklists reduce accidents when used by pilots and doctors, there is no reason why common employment law matters should not have checklists to work from. Here are five reasons why employers should use checklists for employment law compliance, and some recommendations for checklists.
Five Common Exempt Classifications Under California Employment Law
March 10, 2023
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour
California law presumes that all employees are non-exempt employees, meaning that they are not exempt from the Labor Code requirements, such as overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and minimum wage. Exempt employees are designated as such because they are “exempt” from certain wage and hour requirements due to their duties and pay. However, the employer bears the burden when classifying an employee as exempt, and simply providing a title to an employee does not make them exempt. The employee must meet very specific requirements for each applicable exemption, and if the requirements are not met the employer must comply with all wage and hour requirements – such as overtime pay, etc.
Predictions for the Work Environment in Ten Years
January 11, 2023
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law
Fundamentally, the work environment has not changed much over the last 100 years, and I believe we are on the verge of major changes and disruptions. These changes are deeper than the issues that COVID raised. Even if remote work is here to stay, this development does not impact many industries, such as the service industry, sales industry, and hospitality industry. Moreover, how open states are to these changes will drastically shape the legal environment and how fast these and other changes will take place. I make the following five predictions that I believe will change the work environment over the next decade:
Recent Appellate Decision Highlights Disputes Over Enforceability of Arbitration Agreements in California
January 6, 2023
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Wage & Hour, PAGA
California's Second District Court of Appeal's Dec. 5, 2022 decision in
California Supplemental Paid Sick Leave in Place Until Dec. 31, 2022: Reminders For Employers
October 20, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, Sick Leave (including COVID-19 policies)
On Sept. 29, 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 152 into law, extending California’s Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (“SPSL”) law through Dec. 31, 2022 (the law was previously set to expire on Sept. 30, 2022). The law requires employers with 26 or more employees to provide up to 80 hours of COVID-19 related paid sick leave. Here are five key issues California employers should know about the new law and some reminders about obligations under California’s Supplemental Paid Sick Leave.
Planning for Employee Separations From Employment in California
October 6, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies
The process of separating an employee from a company must be clearly set out and planned in advance. It's recommended to develop a separation checklist so that all of the company’s policies are followed, as well as any applicable laws that pertain to the employer and their industry. This article provides five issues employers should consider in developing a separation checklist for their company.
Checklist: Five Items California Employers Should Consider for Employees Working From Home
September 15, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Wage & Hour
As employers and employees adapt to the new realities of working from home on a permanent or modified basis, employers need to be aware of the employment law issues that arise with such arrangements. Here are five items employers should review for employees working from home.
Reminders About California Time Record Requirements
August 25, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Wage & Hour
Employers have the burden to record and maintain accurate time records under California law. If the employer knows employees are not properly recording their time, the employer needs to enforce a policy to have employees accurately record their time, even if it requires disciplinary action. In addition, employers need to review their time records to ensure employees are following proper procedures. Here are five reminders of best practices for time records for California.
Five Terms To Include in Job Offer Letters
August 18, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies
Instead of relying on the old job offer letter you had a lawyer review in the 1990s for your next new hire, it is recommended to review the offer letter to ensure it is up to date with current law. Here are the five terms employers should consider to include in job offer letters.
California’s Minimum Wage Increasing to $15.50 on Jan. 1, 2023
August 11, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour, Minimum Wage
On July 27, California’s Department of Finance
Unwaivable Employment Law Rights in California
July 18, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour
There are certain rights provided by the California Labor Code that employees cannot waive, including the following.
Five Key Employment Law Deadlines and Developments for California Employers for July 2022
July 11, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law
The past few weeks have been busy on the California employment law front, and California employers must remain vigilant about new employment law developments still going forward this summer. As we enter the second half of 2022, here are five issues California employers need to pay attention to.
Considerations for Electronic Time and Payroll Records For California Employers
June 9, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Wage & Hour
Do employers need to have a computerized timekeeping system to comply with their requirements under California law? With technological advances, it is hard to remember that just 10 years ago these questions were on top of everyone’s mind, but today it is sometimes assumed that it must be legal to keep these records electronically. However, these inquiries raise good questions about employers’ obligations under the Labor Code to create and maintain time records. Surprisingly (or maybe not so – depending on your views on how slow the law is in adapting to technological advances), the Labor Code does not address this issue right on point. Yet, there are some governing principles employers can review in making the decision on what practices are best for their business. Here are five key obligations employers should consider when setting up time keeping systems.
Five Reminders About Employment Record Retention Obligations Under California Law
May 16, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Evaluations, Performance Management & Discipline, Employee Handbooks & Policies
Employers should remember to take time to review their employee documentation, retention policies, and how this information is being saved on a periodic basis. Here are five record retention issues employers should audit as of April 2022.
Five Employment Law Developments in April 2022 That California Employers Need To Know
April 18, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law
Here are five new California employment law developments that California employers need to know about in April 2022:
Right to Discuss Pay, Salary History Bans, and Pay Equity Under California Law
April 11, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour
Pay equity and transparency laws are being considered within the United States and by many countries. For example, internationally, Europe is reviewing a potential law requiring all wages to be published, Iceland requires companies to prove pay equity since 2018, and a similar law in Canada has passed for employers with 10 or more employees. Here in California, employers face a number of regulations under California and Federal law pertaining to employees’ ability to discuss wages, prohibition on salary history inquiries, the nation’s first “pay transparency” requirement, and equal pay requirements. Here is a summary five critical equal pay laws California employers must understand.
Key Provisions of California's 2022 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law
March 7, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, Sick Leave (including COVID-19 policies)
On Feb. 9, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law requiring employers to provide supplemental COVID-19 paid sick leave in 2022. The law,
2022 Employment Practices Audit
January 28, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Discrimination & Harassment, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Wage & Hour
The new year is a perfect time for companies to conduct a California employment law practices audit to ensure that policies are compliant, managers are properly trained, and the company is maintaining the required records for the necessary length of time. Here are five topics to review in conducting an audit, and a few suggested questions for each topic.
New COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Regulations Issued on Jan. 6 by Cal/OSHA
January 11, 2022
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Workplace Health & Safety
On Jan. 6, 2022, Cal/OSHA issued
Holiday Pay, Time Off, and Other California Employment Issues To Consider During the Holidays
December 13, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off
As we enter the holiday season, it's a good time to review employers' obligations to accommodate requests for time off for holidays and best pay practices during the holiday season. Here are five reminders for employers about holiday leaves and pay.
What Employers Need To Know About AB 701, California's New Law Regulating Warehouse Quotas
October 11, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour, Workplace Health & Safety
On Sept. 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom
Vacation Time Under California Law: Traps for Employers
October 4, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, Vacation Leaves
Employers in California must be aware of unique rules that apply to vacation time. Here are five issues on vacation policies that can create traps for California employers:
Use With Caution: Confidentiality Clauses
September 13, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies
California passed a wave of new laws in 2018 relating to the #MeToo movement, many of which prohibit confidential settlement agreements or disclosure of allegations related to sexual harassment in the workplace. This post is a review of five areas affected by these prohibitions of certain terms in settlement agreements, which illustrate the need for employers to stay informed about the new requirements that apply to their company and industry.
Checklist for Developing a Mandatory Vaccination Policy in California
August 16, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies
In light of the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, many employers have recently made the decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for their employees. Disney, Uber, Microsoft, and Walmart are some of the larger employers that are requiring all or some of their employees to be vaccinated in order to return to the workplace.
Calculating Regular Rate of Pay for Employees Under California Law
August 5, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour
It's critical for California employers to properly calculate the regular rate of pay for an employee in order to pay the appropriate overtime pay and for premium pay for missed meal and rest breaks. Here are five issues employers must be aware of regarding calculating an employee’s regular rate of pay.
California’s Wage and Hour Regulations on Electronic Time Records and Pay Stubs
July 2, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Notice-Posting, Training & Recordkeeping Requirements, Wage & Hour
California employers have many obligations under the Labor Code to create and maintain time records. However, the Labor Code does not address many specific issues about time keeping systems and employers moving to electronic records. While employers have not yet started to use the blockchain to record employee’s time and report pay information to employees, there are questions about how employers should be maintaining electronic records. Here are five key obligations employers should consider for electronic time keeping systems and employee pay stubs under California law.
Key Deadlines for California Employers This Summer
June 7, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law
California employers must continue to be vigilant about their obligations as we enter the summer. Here are some key dates California employers must be aware of during June and July.
Can Employers Pay Employees in Cryptocurrency?
May 24, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Privacy & Information Security
With increased interest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, the employment lawyer in me started thinking about whether it would be legal for employers to pay employees in cryptocurrency. (NFL player Sean Culkin was already one step ahead of me, and last month
Five Golden Rules To Help Prevent Employment Litigation
May 17, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law
These five golden rules, if followed by employers, help prevent employment lawsuits and in the event of litigation can lower the litigation exposure. Employers cannot control who may file a case against them, but the following items are in their control, and can go a long way to reducing litigation exposure.
Five Steps To Defend Against an Employment Class Action and PAGA Litigation
May 3, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour, PAGA
Being named as a defendant in an employment class action or Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) representative lawsuit can be overwhelming, especially for a growing company. However, a company can minimize the impact of litigation on its existing operations and put forth the best defense with some planning and good strategic advice. Here are five initial steps a company can take upon being notified as a pending class action or PAGA lawsuit.
California Supreme Court Provides Guidance on Time-Rounding Policies for Meal Breaks
April 19, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Wage & Hour, Meal & Rest Periods
The California Supreme Court recently
As Businesses Reopen, Here Are Five Paid Sick Leave Laws That Apply to California Employers
April 7, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, Sick Leave (including COVID-19 policies)
Legislation at the federal and state level last month changed many paid sick leave regulations for California employers. California employers could be subject to at least five different paid sick leave laws spanning federal law, state law, state-regulations, and local government regulations. As employers reopen in California, it is important to review the various paid sick leave requirements to understand which ones apply to your business to ensure compliance.
The Latest Legal Updates for California Employers
March 15, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Retaliation & Whistleblower Issues, Wage & Hour, Workplace Health & Safety
About two and a half months into 2021, there are many developments on the employment legal front. Here are a few prevalent employment issues for California.
Conducting Workplace Investigations in California
March 2, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Workplace Investigations
Under California law, employers have a duty to investigate misconduct and take remedial action to prevent further discrimination or harassment from occurring in workplace. (See Gov. Code, § 12940, subds. (j)(1), (k).) This list contains five action items employers should utilize when conducting workplace investigations.
End of Employment Documents in California
February 22, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies
California law requires employers to provide certain documents to employees. Here are five documents California employers should consider in developing an end of employment packet:
Details on President Biden’s COVID-19 Rescue Plan and Executive Order On Protecting Workers
February 17, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, Workplace Health & Safety
Three days into his term, President Biden signed executive orders and set forth plans for how employers should respond to issues brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are five of Biden's recent actions that stand to have a major impact on employers across the U.S.
Five Critical Questions About Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards
January 25, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Workplace Health & Safety
There is still some confusion regarding the new Cal/OSHA
2021 Employment Practices Audit
January 11, 2021
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Discrimination & Harassment, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, Wage & Hour
The beginning of 2021 is a perfect time for companies to conduct a California employment law practices audit to ensure that policies are compliant, managers are properly trained, and the company is maintaining the required records for the necessary length of time. Here are five areas to start with in conducting an audit, and a few recommended questions for each topic.
Five Steps California Employers Can Take To Prepare for 2021
November 23, 2020
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Employee Handbooks & Policies, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, FMLA & CFRA, Sick Leave (including COVID-19 policies)
As 2020 ends, here are five steps employers can take now to prepare for 2021:
Five New Laws With the Most Impact on California Employers
October 21, 2020
Anthony Zaller
Employment Law, Retaliation & Whistleblower Issues, Vacations, Leave & Other Time Off, FMLA & CFRA, Sick Leave (including COVID-19 policies), Workers' Compensation
California employers should pay attention to these five laws adopted in the just-finished legislative season.
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