Workforce Bulletin

Earlier this year, Washington enacted new amendments (the “2025 Amendments”) to its pay equity law, which will soon bring some relief to employers. Since 2023, the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA) has required employers with at least 15 total employees and at least one Washington-based employee to include the wage scale, salary range, and other disclosures in covered job postings, as we previously explained here. The 2025 Amendments, among other things, clarify the remedies available under the EPOA and temporarily curb liability for employers who violate its pay transparency requirements. These modifications take effect on July 27, 2025.

In a surprisingly employer-friendly decision, the California Court of Appeal recently held that voluntary, prospective written meal waivers for shorter shifts, i.e., those that are more than five but no more than six hours in total, are valid and enforceable.  In Bradsbery v. Vicar Operating, Inc., the Court of Appeal held that revocable, prospective meal waivers for shorter shifts are enforceable in the absence of any evidence the waivers are unconscionable or unduly coercive.

Case Background

Plaintiffs, former veterinary assistants and technicians, filed a putative class action in July 2014 against their former employer, Vicar Operating.  Plaintiffs alleged in part that Vicar Operating had violated Labor Code section 512(a) by requiring Plaintiffs and putative class members to work shifts between five and six hours without a meal period and without waiving their right to a meal period by mutual consent.  Plaintiffs argued that as a result, Vicar owed Plaintiffs and the putative class members premiums for missed meal periods.