No More Thumbs Up on Social Media

On September 18, 2020, Governor Newson signed Assembly Bill (AB) 992 into law. AB 992 amends the Brown Act's provisions concerning serial meetings by addressing, for the first time, the use of social media by members of a legislative body. AB 992, which amends Government Code section 54952.2, clarifies what kind of communications a public official may have on social media and what...

California Propositions Are Their Own Beast!

In this election cycle, California voters are faced with several decisions to make following their fellow citizen’s use of the initiative power and placement of propositions on the ballot. Like most elections, many of those initiatives are related to taxation. A recent California appellate decision clarified an important issue about the required number of votes necessary for a proposition to pass...

What in the World is a “Past Practice” and Why do I Care?

In the world of public employment and the labor negotiations, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the employer and bargaining unit is a valued and protected document.  Indeed, many MOUs contain a “zipper” clause.  This prevents either the employer or employee group from attempts to reopen the agreement during its term.  The point, is that both sides want finality and...

What Now? Cautionary Tale of a Termination with a Twist

Every now and then, a public agency will make a mistake in the handling of a personnel matter.  The following is a cautionary tale with a twist.The City/County of San Francisco terminated a police officer.  The California Court of Appeal subsequently concluded that the officer’s discharge was wrongful.  As a result of the holding, the Court ordered that the discharge...

WELL, THIS IS EMBARASSING

In a case from just last month, the Second District Court of Appeal upheld the discharge of a deputy sheriff for “embarrassing” her department.A Sheriff’s Deputy (deputy one) was assigned to work in the county jail as a correctional officer after just four (4) months on the job.  She continued to work as a correctional officer, and in 2010 she...

We Were On A Boat: Self-Care in the Time of a Global Pandemic.

The COVID-19 Pandemic can feel overwhelming.  Employees who have been classified as “essential” have been placed in situations where they not only have to work their regular assignment, but may have incurred additional hours, on top of caring for family, providing educational opportunities and support to children, and dealing with their own feelings all while in an ever-changing climate of...