2025 California Employment Law Updates: Webinar Recap and Presentation Download

2025 is set to bring critical changes to California employment laws, and staying ahead of these updates is essential for employers and HR professionals alike. To help navigate these changes, I had the pleasure of teaming up with LeiLani E. Quiray and her amazing team at be the change HR, Inc. for an engaging and informative 2025 California Employment Law Update Webinar. If you missed the live session, you can still get up to date and: This session is packed with actionable insights to help you stay compliant, proactive, and stress-free as we head into 2025. Key Topics Covered in the Webinar Why These Updates Matter California employers operate under some of the most dynamic employment laws in the nation. Staying informed about legislative updates like these helps you avoid legal risks, streamline HR policies, and create a compliant, employee-friendly workplace. Whether you run a small business or oversee a large team, understanding these changes minimizes your risk of being blind-sided by an employment claim. Watch the Webinar Recording & Download the Presentation For a deeper dive into these topics, … Continue reading

In: New Laws, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Get Ready for 2025: California Employment Law Updates!

As we look ahead to 2025, California employers have a lot to keep in mind with upcoming changes in employment law. That’s why I’m teaming up with Be the Change HR, Inc. for a lively, informative legal update webinar. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a larger team, this session is all about keeping compliance simple, proactive, and stress-free. What’s in Store? California’s employment laws continue to evolve, and staying informed is key to building a compliant and thriving workplace. From new wage and hour regulations to emerging compliance requirements, we’ll cover critical updates, practical strategies, and clear next steps to prepare for the year ahead. Why Attend? Here’s what you’ll get from this interactive session: Whether you’re a business owner or team leader, this session will help turn compliance from chaos to calm! Grab a coffee, your questions, and join us to approach 2025 with a proactive, prepared mindset. Can’t wait to see you there! Subscribe to our newsletter * indicates required Email Address * First Name * I am: * A Business OwnerAn Attorney/AdvisorInterested in General … Continue reading

In: New Laws | Leave a comment

2024 New California Employment Laws

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash As we approach the end of the year, it is essential for businesses to review their operations and prepare for the changes that the coming year will bring. In January 2024, several new California Employment Laws will go into effect, impacting policies and budgets. This is a crucial time for employers to update their employee handbooks and hiring documents to ensure compliance with these new regulations. Minimum Paid Sick Leave Accrual Cap and Use Increases One of the significant changes in 2024 is the increase in the minimum paid sick leave accrual, cap, and use. The law is that employees must earn at least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work. If your company uses an alternative method of paid sick leave accrual, such as front-loading, employers previously had to provide three days (24 hours) of paid sick leave. This requirement has now increased to five days (40 hours) that are available within the first 200 calendar days of employment. Employers may also cap the use of accrued paid sick … Continue reading

In: California Leave Law, Discrimination, Employment Law, New Laws, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2023 Employment Law Updates

Welcome to 2023.  New Year,  New You,  New California Employment Laws! Here is a quick overview of the most significant new laws that went into effect on January 1, 2023. This is not an exhaustive list but one that will apply to most small to medium-sized business owners in California. PRACTICAL TIP: Make sure your documents reflect that you are implementing changes that are applicable to your business. For example, update your written notice to employees of the terms of their employment to reflect the new hourly rate if you have employees who make minimum wage. Update the language in your employee handbooks to reflect the ability to designate non-family members for CFRA and paid sick leave.  PAY Minimum Wage Increases/Exempt Pay Increases The California state minimum wage in 2023 is now $15.50 per hour for all employees, regardless of the employer’s size. However, some cities and counties have even higher local minimum wage requirements. Employers should check the minimum wage requirements for all cities and counties where their employees work.  Some cities with higher minimum wage requirements include Los … Continue reading

In: California Leave Law, Employer Postings, Employment Law, New Laws, Starting a Business, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New Notice Requirements for California Warehouse Distribution Centers

Photo by Ryan Parker on Unsplash California’s AB 701 Amends section 138.7 and adds a new part to the Labor Code to specifically address Warehouse Distribution Centers. Which Employers Will be Affected by the New Law? Any company that employs (directly or through third parties and agencies):  100 or more nonexempt warehouse distribution workers at a single warehouse distribution center; OR  1,000 or more employees at one or more warehouse distribution centers in the state of California. New Notice Requirement Beginning January 1, 2022, Certain employers will need to provide non-exempt employees with a written description of each quota the employee is subject to.  What must be in this notice? The quantified number of tasks to be performed by the employee, or materials to be produced or handled. The time period tasks must be performed or materials must be produced in. The adverse employment action that could result if the employee does not meet the quota. When must subject employers give the notice to warehouse distribution center employees? At the time of hire; or By January 31, 2022.  New Employee … Continue reading

In: Employment Law, New Laws, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Employer’s COVID-19 Notice Requirements

AB-654 went into effect immediately on October 5, 2021, and will expire on January 1, 2023. The law amends California Labor Code Section 6325 and amends and repeals Labor Code section 6409.6 relating to occupational safety and notice requirements about COVID-19 in the workplace.  Below is an outline of an employers’ notice requirements as well as duties to report exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.  If you receive an OSHA that your place of employment, operation, or process, poses an imminent risk to workers of exposure to infection with COVID-19, resulting in OSHA prohibiting entry to the place of employment or prohibiting the risky operation or process, you must post the OSHA notice in a conspicuous place at the place of employment and may not be removed except by an authorized OSHA representative. If you receive notice of potential exposure to COVID-19, the employer must do the following within one business day of the notice of potential exposure: Provide a written notice of potential exposure to 1. All employees; and 2. employers of subcontracted employees who were at the same … Continue reading

In: Employer Postings, Employment Law, New Laws, Uncategorized, What to Do | Leave a comment

California Supreme Court Clarifies Proper Way to Pay Meal Period and Rest Break Premiums

The California Supreme Court, in the case of Jessica Ferra v. Loews Hollywood Hotel, LLC recently clarified the correct way to calculate meal period and rest break premium pay . . . and it’s not how most California businesses were calculating it.  What are Meal Period and Rest Break Premiums? California Labor Code Section 226.7 requires employers to pay employees “one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of compensation for each workday” that an employee was not provided with a meal or rest period.  Unfortunately, many employers are not aware of this requirement to pay a meal and rest period premium if employees are not able to take their meal breaks and rest breaks. Before we discuss the correct way to pay the premiums, let’s review the basic meal and rest break rules in California. What are the Rest Break Rules in California? In California, the Wage Orders require employers to authorize and permit non-exempt employees to take a 10-minute, uninterrupted, rest period for each four-hour work period or major fraction thereof. The Division of Labor Standards … Continue reading

In: California Civil Litigation, Employment Law, New Laws, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Employers Have Until July 19th to Submit Workforce Demographics Data to EEOC

The EEOC just announced the opening of 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 component 1 data collection of workforce demographics after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Required filers must provide demographic workforce data including data by race/ethnicity, sex, and job categories. EEO-1 Component 1 data are used by the EEOC to investigate charges of employment discrimination against employers and to provide information about the employment status of minorities and women. Who Must Submit Data? Private employers with 100 or more employees, and Federal contractors with 50 or more employees meeting certain criteria When is the Deadline to Submit the Demographic Data? The deadline to submit EEO-1Component 1 data is July 19, 2021. This July 19th deadline applies to demographic data for both 2019 and 2020. How Do I File EE-1 Component 1 Data? Create an account at https://eeocdata.org/EEO1/cb326247-33b9-4318-9c39-f63948021d67/GetStarted Once a user account is created, there are two different ways to file the 2019 and 2020 EEO-1Component 1 Report(s): ONLINE FORM (available beginning Monday, April 26, 2021) Filers may enter their data into a secure data entry form via the EEO-1 … Continue reading

In: Employment Law, New Laws, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Paid Sick Leave Under FFCRA Expired – Now What?

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act’s (FFCRA) paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave requirements expired on December 31, 2020. Thus, employers are no longer obligated to provide paid sick leave to employees who are unable to work due to a Covid-19 related illness, the need to quarantine because of exposure, to care for a family member who is ill due to Covid-19, or to care for a child because of school closure related to Covid-19.  However, employers may voluntarily choose to provide paid sick leave to employees for Covid-19 related reasons. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, extended the employer tax credits for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave voluntarily provided to employees until March 31, 2021. To voluntarily provide paid sick leave, or not to pay, that is the question. The Pros of Extending Paid Sick Leave Covid-19 infection rates continue to rise and the need remains. Paid leave slows the spread. Providing leave to employees who test positive or exhibit symptoms will slow the spread of the disease generally and within your workplace. … Continue reading

In: California Leave Law, Employment Law, New Laws, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Free Webinar: New California Employment Laws Going Into Effect in 2021 (some already have)

As a California business owner or advisor, you may have been juggling the challenges of keeping the business afloat, keeping employees safe, and keeping updated on the new regulations that seem to appear every day.

To help with that last task, this free webinar will address the new California employment laws that recently went into effect and/or will go into effect in 2021.
Continue reading

In: Employment Law, New Laws, Uncategorized | Leave a comment