Erika M. Barbara
Erika M. Barbara is a principal in the Sacramento, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and a member of the firm’s California Advice and Counsel resource group. With more than 20 years of experience in employment law, Erika is a dedicated advocate for employers and leverages her legal knowledge to craft proactive solutions to workplace issues.
Erika has defended employers in employment litigation, class and representative actions, and arbitrations involving a broad range of workplace-related claims, including wage and hour disputes, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. She also represents employers in administrative complaints before the California Civil Rights Department, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her litigation experience guides her work when she is advising clients, conducting handbook reviews, and delivering training programs.
At the core of Erika’s practice is a commitment to preventive legal strategies and counsel. Erika equips employers with practical tools and advice to address workplace issues and maintain compliant, productive workplaces. Her ability to translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance, with an eye towards prevention, makes her a valued partner to organizations of all sizes.
Erika previously served as senior employment law counsel at the California Chamber of Commerce, where she furthered her commitment to preventive legal strategies by educating and providing guidance to employers across the state through the Labor Law Helpline, compliance publications, seminars, webinars, and trainings.
Pro Bono and Community Involvement
- Empower Yolo, Former Board Member
- Robert E. Willett Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, Former Board Member
Published Works
- “Gimme A Break: California Meal and Rest Break Requirements,” HRCalifornia Extra (December 4, 2025) [Author].
- “How to Figure Reimbursement Rate,” HR Watchdog (November 14, 2025) [Author]
- “New H-1B Visa Fee Faces Legal Challenges,” HR Watchdog (October 23, 2025) [Author]
- “New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas,” HR Watchdog (September 25, 2025) [Author]
- “Coworker’s Off-Duty Conduct Wasn’t Harassment But Employer’s Response May Be,” HRCalifornia Extra (September 18, 2025) [Author]
- “Victims’ Leave 2025 Updates Created New Obligations, Expanded Others,” HR Watchdog (July 29, 2025) [Author]
- “Denying Request to Work Remote Not Discrimination If Employee Doesn’t Have a Disability,” HRCalifornia Extra (July 24, 2025) [Author]
- “How Does Court Vacating EEOC Guidance on Gender Identity Affect California Employers,” HR Watchdog (May 28, 2025) [Author]
- “California Supreme Court Grants Review in Second ‘Headless’ PAGA Case,” HR Watchdog (May 19, 2025) [Author]
- “Cannabis Use in California: What Employers Need to Know,” HRCalifornia Extra (May 8, 2025) [Author]
- “Untimely ‘Headless’ PAGA Action Dismissed,” HR Watchdog (May 6, 2025) [Author]
- “California Supreme Court to Consider Use of ‘Headless’ PAGA Actions,” HR Watchdog (April 21, 2025) [Author]
- “Labor Code’s Requirement to Reimburse Work Expenses Not Applicable to Public Employers,” HR Watchdog (April 9, 2025) [Author]
- “A Roadmap for Navigating Family and Medical Leave,” HRCalifornia Extra (March 27, 2025) [Author]
- “Another Court Addresses Arbitration of ‘Headless’ PAGA Cases,” HR Watchdog (March 12, 2025) [Author]
- “10 Frequently Asked Questions About California Paid Sick Leave,” HRCalifornia Extra (February 27, 2025) [Author]
- “Making Sense of Minimum Wage Requirements,” HR Watchdog (February 26, 2025) [Author]
- “Court Rejects Use of ‘Headless’ PAGA Cases,” HR Watchdog (January 21, 2025) [Author]
- “What to Expect When Your Employee Is Expecting: Managing Pregnancies in the Workplace,” HRCalifornia Extra (December 19, 2024) [Author]
- “Reasonable Accommodations: Meeting Your Employer Obligations,” HRCalifornia Extra (October 31, 2024) [Author]
- “Exempt Employee Salary Deductions: Proceed with Caution,” HR Watchdog (October 16, 2024) [Author]
- “On-Boarding Activities: Best to Wait for Employee’s First Day of Work,” HR Watchdog (September 11, 2024 [Author]
- “No Right to Intervene, Object to PAGA Settlement,” HR Watchdog (August 26, 2024) [Author]
- “Employee’s Harassing Instagram Posts Can Create a Hostile Work Environment,” HRCalifornia Extra (August 22, 2024) [Author]
- “Four Steps in Assessing Wage and Hour Compliance in California,” HRCalifornia Extra (May 23, 2024) [Author]
Speeches
- “HR Boot Camp Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California, multiple sessions in 2025 and 2024) (presenter).
- “Leaves of Absence Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California multiple sessions in 2025 and 2024) (presenter).
- “Conducting California Workplace Investigations Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California August 2025) (presenter).
- “2025 Mid-Year Employment Law Update Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California August 2025) (presenter).
- “Supervisor Essentials: Workplace Compliance Seminar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California July 2025) (presenter).
- “California Meal and Rest Break Rules Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California June 2025) (presenter).
- “Revisiting Your Workplace Violence Prevention Program for 2025 Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California May 2025) (presenter).
- “What To Expect When Your Employee Is Expecting: PDL And Child-Bonding Leave Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California April 2025) (presenter).
- “Filling In The Gaps: Pitfalls In Hiring And Onboarding New Employees Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce (Sacramento, California March 2025) (presenter).
- “2025 Employment Law Updates Seminar and Webinar,” California Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento, California (multiple sessions in January 2025) (presenter)
