Ellen E. Cohen is a principal in the Los Angeles, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C., providing comprehensive representation for management in employment disputes. She handles cases involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration and administrative hearings.

Ellen takes a proactive approach in supporting her clients, providing valuable advice on a host of employment-related issues including employee discipline, termination, lay-off procedures, or accommodations under the ADA and FEHA. She knows how to offer strategic advice that is as practical as it is legally sound. Her adept handling of complex issues such as Family Medical Leave Act and state laws, wage and hour laws, and harassment and discrimination has made her an indispensable ally to her clients.

Perhaps most notable is Ellen’s commitment to understanding her clients’ businesses. She places great emphasis on working closely with clients, getting to know their unique operations, and building longstanding partnerships based on trust and mutual understanding. This approach allows her to devise tailored solutions that take into account not only legal risks but also business objectives.

The state and some local COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave requirements continue through the summer. And the City of Los Angeles’ mayor issued a public order mandating additional paid leave.

Under the order, employees who work within the City of Los Angeles and have been employed by their employer for 60 days are entitled

On August 28th, Governor Newsom announced new reopening plans for California in hopes of preventing another COVID-19 surge. The plan incorporates information learned over the past six months in addition to new scientific discoveries to create a system for reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It involves a four-tiered color system that ranks counties based on

In March 2020, many employers suddenly found themselves managing a mostly remote workforce due to COVID-19. As the pandemic stretches on, some businesses remain remote because of necessity, while others are considering the many advantages of a remote workforce.

As employees continue teleworking, employers should familiarize themselves with the requirements for reimbursement under California law.

At the end of July, the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) released guidance to assist with the safe reopening of businesses in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance covers the following topics:

  • Employer Obligations to Keep the Workplace and Employees Safe
  • Face Coverings
  • Medical Checks
  • Returning to the Worksite
  • Waivers of Liability

The

At the beginning of May, California implemented a staged reopening for businesses closed due to the shelter in place orders resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan, referred to as the “Resilience Roadmap” allowed for counties to apply for a variance if certain criteria set by the state public health officer are met. The variances