The beginning of 2025 presents an ideal opportunity for companies to perform a California employment law audit. This proactive step ensures your policies align with current regulations, your managers receive proper training, your company retains required records for the appropriate duration, and will greatly reduce potential PAGA penalties under the 2024 PAGA reform. To help
Best Practices For California Employers
Reminder for Employers: Compliance with SB 476 Food Handler Card Requirements
As 2024 comes to a close, California employers are reminded of their obligations under SB 476, which took effect on January 1, 2024. This law requires employers to shoulder the costs of obtaining food handler cards and compensate employees for their time spent on training and testing. Now, nearly a year into its…
California Employers: Five Major Increases to Prepare for in 2025
As we approach 2025, California employers must gear up for a series of significant legal and financial adjustments. These changes range from minimum wage hikes to increased salary thresholds for exempt employees, and they impact various industries across the state. Staying ahead of these updates is crucial to ensure compliance and maintain smooth operations. Here…
Five Holiday Season Reminders for California Employers
As the holiday season approaches, it’s a great time for employers to revisit their responsibilities when it comes to accommodating holiday leave requests and ensuring proper pay practices. Last week, we discussed important vacation considerations for employers during the holiday season. This week, we are sharing five key reminders about holiday-related policies for California…
California Vacation Laws for the Holidays: What Employers Need to Know
As employees begin planning for winter vacations and time off to celebrate, it’s a good opportunity for California employers to review the state’s unique rules regarding vacation policies. To help navigate these complexities, this Friday’s Five highlights five critical vacation policy issues that can create challenges for California employers during the holidays:
1. “Use-it-or-lose-it” policies…
Five Interview Practices Every California Employer Should Know
When interviewing potential employees, California employers must navigate a complex landscape to ensure their practices are compliant and effective. Here are five essential practices to consider:
1. Understand Prohibited Questions to Avoid Discrimination
California law restricts employers from asking certain questions during interviews that could be seen as discriminatory. Employers must refrain from asking about…
Interstate Truck Drivers Are Exempt from California Meal and Rest Break Rules
By Yaron Tilles
Under California law, non-exempt employees are entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal period and two paid 10-minute rest breaks during a typical 8-hour shift. However, California’s meal and rest break rules (“MRB rules”) do not apply to interstate truck drivers.
If you’re asking yourself why truck drivers do not get the benefits of…
How a Trump Administration Could Impact Key Issues for California Employers in 2025
With the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, California employers should evaluate how key workplace issues could be influenced under a Trump administration. Here’s an analysis of how these critical areas may be affected:
1. Immigration and Enforcement
Under a Trump administration, there could be an intensified focus on immigration enforcement. This might include…
Navigating Political Discourse in California Workplaces: 5 Key Considerations for Employers Ahead of the 2024 Election
As the November 5, 2024 election approaches, political discussions in the workplace may become a hot topic, and California employers are considering how best to regulate this sensitive issue. The goal is often to maintain a professional environment without violating employees’ rights. Recently, Elon Musk has taken a public stance by backing two high-profile cases…
Unwaivable Employee Rights in California: What Employers Must Know
As an employer in California, understanding the non-negotiable rights granted to employees by state law is essential. California’s employment regulations are among the nation’s most detailed and comprehensive. Below are five key employment rights that employers must respect, as they cannot be waived by any agreement:
- Minimum Wage
Labor Code Section 1194 ensures that employees