Golden State Today

Labor law specialist Ben Ebbink cautioned employers about the implications of new legislation during a webinar exclusively for NFIB California members on March 26. The first part of the presentation focused on the concept of a captive audience law, with Ebbink emphasizing potential risks for employers dealing with this broadly interpreted statute.

“You’ve got a broad, vaguely worded statute that could get employers into a lot of trouble, and you got this heavy-handed enforcement, which could result in something as high as punitive damages,” Ebbink noted. This reflects the ongoing regulatory and legal challenges businesses may face under shifting political administrations.

Ebbink, a partner in Fisher Phillips law firm with offices in Sacramento and Washington D.C., also addressed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in small businesses. “I have been speaking to a lot of small business owners,” he said. “You’d be surprised how integrated AI is into many of the tools small businesses and others use in their day-to-day life."

He emphasized the influence of AI in business while highlighting California's regulatory measures to control its use. Two state agencies, the California Civil Rights Council and the California Privacy and Protection Agency, are tasked with overseeing AI's application in employment settings.

Ebbink also provided insights on other legislation affecting workplaces. Besides delving into Senate Bill 399, prohibiting captive audience practices, he touched upon workplace-related bills like Minimum Wage requirements, Workplace Violence Prevention Plans, Senate Bill 7 (No Robot Bosses Act), workplace surveillance, and location privacy.

The presentation was designed to inform small business owners of legislative impacts while underscoring the value of expert information provided to NFIB members.