Legal Update: If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 113: California Officially Expands Statewide Paid Sick Leave Law

What You Need to Know: On September 13, 2023, the California legislature passed SB 616, which expanded the State's existing paid sick leave mandate, the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014in significant ways. On October 4, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law. The law takes effect on January 1, 2024. The amendments increase the annual amount of California paid sick leave from three days or 24 hours (whichever is greater) to five days or 40 hours (whichever is greater) for eligible employees. The increase to five days or 40 hours impacts several substantive topics, including the…

Emergency hazards to be repaired in 24 hours through Awaab’s Law

New plans to clamp down on rogue social landlords who fail to provide safe homes have been announced today (9 January 2024), supporting the government's pledge to deliver Awaab's Law. The two-year-old from Rochdale died from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mold in the flat where he lived, and the government is taking action to introduce life-changing reforms in social housing to prevent future tragedies. The Awaab's Law consultation has been launched by the Housing Secretary, which proposes introducing new strict time limits for social housing providers and forcing them to take swift action in addressing dangerous hazards such…