Perspectiva General

Bruce J. Sarchet has focused his entire legal career on the representation of management in labor and employment law matters.

With energy, enthusiasm, and intense focus, Bruce provides clients with superior quality work and exceptional client service and has earned a reputation as a hands-on problem solver. He crafts practical, real world solutions to workplace problems -- balancing business realities with the need to minimize exposure to litigation.

Bruce has a wide-ranging practice representing private, public and nonprofit entities in all aspects of labor and employment law, including claims of workplace discrimination and harassment, wage and hour compliance, and the National Labor Relations Act.

For unionized employers, Bruce frequently serves as chief spokesperson in collective bargaining negotiations and provides representation in grievances and arbitration hearings. He also represents employers during union organizing drives and unfair labor practice charges under the National Labor Relations Act.

He also serves as the California coordinator and liaison for Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI). In this capacity, Bruce focuses on California state legislative and regulatory developments in employment and labor law, as well as municipal ordinances and regulation of the workplace. He assists the employer community in understanding and impacting California legislation before it becomes law.

The knowledge which Bruce gains as a bill is working its way through the legislative process then translates into experience which can be used to provide compliance advice to clients once the law becomes effective.  In this vein, Bruce has gained extensive experience assisting employers in California with several new laws, adopted in just the past few years, including:

  • AB 5 – California’s independent contractor law
  • AB 701 – California’s warehouse quota notification law
  • SB 93 – California’s “right to recall” law for hospitality industry employees laid off due to COVID
  • AB 1963 – California’s “mandated reporter” law for private businesses – requiring reporting of child abuse of minor employees
  • California’s “me too” laws limiting confidentiality clauses in employment separation and severance agreements

As a member of WPI, Bruce represents trade associations in bringing constitutional law challenges to overbroad state laws, including a challenge to AB 51 which limits the use of employment arbitration agreements, and a challenge to AB 2455, which provides labor unions access to contact information for home care workers.

Bruce also has provided advice and counsel to businesses in addressing the complex employment law issues presented by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

From 2005 to 2013, Bruce served on the firm's five-attorney Management Committee, which handles the firm's operations. In this capacity, he oversaw thirteen Littler offices in seven states. Prior to his selection to the Management Committee, he served as the office-managing shareholder for the firm's Sacramento office and served several terms as a member of the firm's Board of Directors.

Prior to attending law school, Bruce was a high school social studies teacher and basketball coach for three years.

Reconocimiento

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2019-2024

Awarded, AV® Peer Review Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

News, Analysis & Press

California’s Non-Compete Shakeup

ASAP

October 17, 2023

Calif. To Watch For PAGA Claims Related To Bank Collapse

Law360 Employment Authority

March 13, 2023

WPI Labor Day Report 2022

WPI Report

September 5, 2022

California Restricts Warehouse Work Quotas

Material Handling Logistics

September 24, 2021

WPI Labor Day Report 2021

WPI Report

September 6, 2021

How do "right to recall" laws impact hiring?

2 the Point Video

June 15, 2021

City “Right To Recall” Laws

WPI Report

May 17, 2021

Pending legislation would modify AB 5 independent contractor law

Southern California Record

April 29, 2021

Top Employee Handbook Updates for 2021

SHRM Online

January 4, 2021

The “New” AB 5

Podcast

September 1, 2020

Recent Developments in Employment and Labor Law

American Bar Association

June 10, 2020

Now what? Practical tips for navigating California post-A.B. 5

Thomson Reuters Westlaw

October 17, 2019

Pending Bills Would Impose Requirements on State Employers

Central Valley Business Journal

April 15, 2018

5 Employee Handbook Issues to Watch in 2018

SHRM Online

January 29, 2018

5 Employee Handbook Issues to Watch in 2018

SHRM Online

January 2, 2018

Coming Soon: New Employment Laws

Central Valley Business Journal

December 15, 2017

Political Protests in the Workplace: Can Employees “Take a Knee?”

Central Valley Business Journal

November 28, 2017

Service Animals in the Workplace: Do You Have to Let the Dogs In?

Central Valley Business Journal

October 16, 2017

State Bill would Allow Disclosure of Home Care Workers' Private Information

Central Valley Business Journal

September 13, 2017

Scheduling Ordinances: The Next Big Employment Challenge?

Central Valley Business Journal

August 23, 2017

Immigration Law Compliance: The Basics of I-9 Verification

Central Valley Business Journal

June 5, 2017

Federal Regulations: Reform on the Horizon?

Central Valley Business Journal

April 3, 2017

Gorsuch’s Possible Impact on Employers

Central Valley Business Journal

March 14, 2017

Navigating California's Two-tier Minimum Wage

Central Valley Business Journal

February 9, 2017

Drug Testing Without Taint of Retaliation

Central Valley Business Journal

January 9, 2017

How the 2016 Election Could Impact the Workplace

Central Valley Business Journal

December 9, 2016

New Laws for Businesses

Central Valley Business Journal

November 15, 2016

Protecting Your Business’s Online Reputation

Central Valley Business Journal

October 5, 2016

"Pokemon Go" in the Workplace

Central Valley Business Journal

September 15, 2016

Keeping Workers Safe When it’s Hot Outside

Central Valley Business Journal

August 4, 2016

Time to Look at Employee Arbitration Agreements

Central Valley Business Journal

July 21, 2016

How a Change in Marijuana Laws Could Affect Your Business

Central Valley Business Journal

June 21, 2016

New Law Requires Businesses to have Anti-discrimination Policies

Central Valley Business Journal

April 8, 2016

How to Deal with Employee Absences

Central Valley Business Journal

March 29, 2016

How to Comply with Fair Pay Act

Central Valley Business Journal

February 19, 2016

Can Workplace Violence be Prevented?

Central Valley Business Journal

January 28, 2016

Why Should I Care – My Business is Non-Union

American Business Magazine

December 17, 2015

Should Your Manager be Paid Overtime?

Central Valley Business Journal

December 10, 2015

Here’s What Should be in your Employee Handbook

Central Valley Business Journal

November 17, 2015

How Obama’s Executive Orders Affect Federal Contractors

Central Valley Business Journal

October 27, 2015

Legislature considers employment bills

Central Valley Business Journal

September 1, 2015

Social Media Quandary: Who Owns Contacts?

Central Valley Business Journal

August 28, 2015

Asking job applicants about criminal pasts — the do’s and don’ts

Central Valley Business Journal

July 21, 2015

What managers should know about paid sick leave

Central Valley Business Journal

July 1, 2015

What managers should know about AB60 driver’s licenses

Central Valley Business Journal

June 11, 2015

Follow These Steps to Hire the Best Workers

Central Valley Business Journal

April 11, 2015

Why Should Nonunion Companies Care About the NLRB?

Corporate Counsel

March 13, 2015

Personal cell phones and the company dime

Central Valley Business Journal

March 13, 2015

Is your employee a ‘Private Attorney General’?

Central Valley Business Journal

February 12, 2015

What employers should know about sick leave

Central Valley Business Journal

January 15, 2015

Grocery union to target Nugget after contracts are signed

Sacramento Business Journal

June 29, 2012

Libros & Capítulos

  • Workplace Violence, The National Employer

Speaking Engagements

2022 Employment Law Update

Littler Executive Employer Conference

May 5, 2022

WPI Insider Briefing: What to Expect in Year Two of the Biden Administration (and in the States!)

Littler Executive Employer Conference

May 5, 2022

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – Global Workplace Policy Development and Implementation: Traps and Challenges for the Unwary

Littler Executive Employer Conference

May 5, 2022

Late Night with Littler: A Healthcare Industry Roundtable

Littler Executive Employer Conference

May 4, 2022

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 24

March 4, 2022

What to Expect in Year Two of the Biden Administration: WPI’s Labor and Employment Outlook

February 23, 2022

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 23

February 4, 2022

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 22

Sacramento, CA

January 7, 2022

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 21

Sacramento, CA

December 3, 2021

Your Employee Handbook: Prepare Now to Mitigate Future Risk

November 15, 2021

Littler’s Second Annual Employee Handbook Update

November 12, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 20

Sacramento, CA

November 5, 2021

It’s Shocktober in California Again! Our Annual California Legislative Employment Law Update

October 19, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 19

October 1, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 18

September 10, 2021

July is the New January: A Post-Pandemic Look at Emerging Labor and Employment Law Trends

August 10, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 17

August 6, 2021

The U.S. Labor Shortage: Employer Responses, Employment Law Challenges

July 29, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 16

July 9, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 15

June 4, 2021

Virtual Human Resources – Managing the Remote Workforce

May 26, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 14

May 7, 2021

The Right to Recall: New Obligations for Employers in California and Beyond

April 27, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session 13

April 2, 2021

Not All Who Wander Are Lost: Managing Employee Relocation in the Era of Remote Work

March 11, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session Twelve

Sacramento, CA

March 5, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session Eleven

February 5, 2021

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session Ten

January 8, 2021

In-House Counsel's Guide to Virtual Litigation, Part Two: Virtual Arbitrations

December 8, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session Eight

December 4, 2020

2020 Virtual California Employer

November 19, 2020

Proposition 22: California and Beyond

November 17, 2020

WPI Post-Election Update

November 6, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges - Session Seven

November 6, 2020

The Rite of Fall: Preparing Policy Handbooks for the Coming Year

October 19, 2020

Littler’s First Annual Employee Handbook Update

October 14, 2020

A Littler Workplace Policy Institute Webinar: It’s Shocktober in California Again! Our Annual California Legislative Employment Law Update

October 6, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges

October 2, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges

September 4, 2020

A Littler Workplace Policy Institute Webinar: The "New" AB 5

August 27, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges

August 7, 2020

Virtual Employment Law Litigation: An In-House Counsel's Guide - Part One

August 4, 2020

A Littler COVID-19 Task Force Webinar: California Cities and Counties Adopt New Leave and Safety Ordinances

July 17, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges

July 1, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges

June 5, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Recent Developments and Compliance Challenges

May 1, 2020

Back to Work? How In-House Employment Counsel and Human Resources Professionals Can Help Organizations Assess Whether, When and How to Reopen for Business

April 27, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: Compliance Challenges, Policy Options

April 10, 2020

COVID-19 in the Workplace: What We Know, What We Don't

April 3, 2020

It's NOT as Easy as A-B-C! Can California Businesses Still 'Depend' on Independent Contractors Post AB 5?

December 16, 2019

2019 Canada Conference

Toronto, ON

November 21, 2019

Focus on Social Media -- Social Media in the Workplace, Policies, Best Practices and Social Media Background Checks

California Employment Law Council Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA

November 15, 2019

It’s Shocktober for Employers: A 2020 California Legislative Employment Law Update

October 22, 2019

It's NOT as Easy as A-B-C! Practical Tips for Doing Business in California Post AB 5

October 1, 2019

Staying Alive After AB5 - Can California Businesses Still ‘Depend’ on Independent Contractors?

August 8, 2019

2019 Puerto Rico Conference

San Juan, PR

April 12, 2019

California's Newest Laws: It's Shocktober for Employers

October 15, 2018

Workplace Policy Institute State of Play: An Inside Perspective on Labor and Employment Policy in Congress and the Federal Agencies

Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ

May 3, 2018

2017 Employment Law Update

The 2017 Executive Employer® Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 11, 2017

The Wage and Hour Feeding Frenzy: Current Legal Issues in the Food and Beverage Industry

October 25, 2016

Food and Beverage Industry Roundtable

The 2016 Executive Employer® Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

May 6, 2016

2016 Employment Law Update

The 2016 Executive Employer® Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

May 5, 2016

Employment Law Audit

Riverside Employers Advisory Council

April 13, 2016

The NLRB for Non-union Employers

Cal SHRM Conference

April 12, 2016

Supervisors: Your Most Important Liability

Northern California Human Resources Association/HR West Conference

March 9, 2016

Hiring Employees – An 11 Step Template

San Mateo Employers Advisory Committee

February 24, 2016

Supervisors: Your Most Important Liability

Central Valley Human Resources Association

February 17, 2016

2016 Employment Law Update

Greater Stockton Employer Advisory Council

January 22, 2016

2016 Employment Law Update

San Joaquin Human Resources Association

January 20, 2016

Employment Law Audit

Kern County SHRM

December 2, 2015

Employment Law Update

California Farm Labor Contractors Association

November 12, 2015

NLRB for Non-Union Employers

Marin HR Forum

October 20, 2015

Workplace Bullying and Violence

High Desert Employers Advisory Council

August 13, 2015

2015 Employment Law Update

The 2015 Executive Employer® Conference

Littler, Phoenix, AZ

May 7, 2015

California’s New Paid Sick Leave Law

Central Valley Human Resources Association

March 18, 2015

The NLRB for Non-Union Employers

HR West Conference - Northern California Human Resources Association

March 4, 2015

Conducting An Employment Law Audit

San Joaquin Human Resources Association

February 11, 2015

Employment Law Update

Greater San Joaquin Employers Advisory Council

January 23, 2015

Effective Hiring Practices

California Farm Labor Contractors Association

January 8, 2015

Conducting an Employment Law Audit

Northern California Human Resources Association, San Francisco, CA

December 12, 2014

Conducting an Employment Law Audit

Northern California Human Resources Association, Santa Clara, CA

December 9, 2014

Employment Law Audits, Hiring, Violence in the Workplace

Desert Communities Employer Advisory Council

October 22, 2014

Effective Hiring Practices

Marin HR Forum

October 21, 2014

Avoiding the “Cat’s Paw” and Conducting Effective Investigations

East Ventura Employer Advisory Council

October 15, 2014

Effective Hiring Practices

Central Coast Human Resources Association

September 11, 2014

Effective Hiring Practices

Kern County Human Resources Association

June 4, 2014

Avoiding the Cat’s Paw – Conducting Effective Investigations

Annual Conference - Northern California Human Resources Association, Oakland, CA

April 23, 2013

Avoiding the Cat’s Paw – Conducting Effective Investigations

San Joaquin Human Resources Association, Stockton, CA

March 13, 2013

The Life-Cycle of Employee Handbook

California Employer Advisory Council, Stockton, CA

February 15, 2013

5th Annual International Employment Law Update

Global Employer Institute

Littler Mendelson, Washington D.C.

November 8, 2012

Health Care Reform

DeWitt Stearns, Sacramento, CA

October 24, 2012

Employment Law Update

The 2012 Executive Employer® Conference

Littler Mendelson, Scottsdale, AZ

May 10, 2012

Health Care Reform

California Hospital Association, Glendale, CA

November 8, 2011

Health Care Reform

California Hospital Association, Sacramento, CA

November 1, 2011

Health Care Reform

Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento, CA

October 15, 2011

Health Care Reform

Roseville Chamber of Commerce, Roseville, CA

June 17, 2011

Northern California Employment Law Update

January 20, 2011

Northern California Employment Law Breakfast Briefings

September 29, 2010

2010 Employment Law Update

March 5, 2010

Landmines, Trends and Tools

October 23, 2009

Bruce Sarchet and Matthew Ruggles Speak at the San Joaquin Human Resources Association's Labor Law Conference and Silent Auction

January 11, 2006

Educación

  • J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1985
  • B.A., University of California, Riverside, 1979

Admisión de la barra

California