Terminating an employee is one of the hardest things a business does, and it is almost certainly the most legally scrutinized decision you will make in the workplace. It is also one of the few decisions that triggers immediate legal obligations — the clock starts running the moment you end the relationship. Yet how to
employer compliance
Friday’s Five: Mandatory Fees and Service Charges in California — What Employers Should Know
Mandatory fees added to customer checks have become one of the more aggressively litigated areas in California consumer and employment law. Restaurants are the most visible target, but the issue reaches any California business that adds a line-item charge to customer invoices — event venues, hotels, salons, fitness studios, delivery services, and beyond. The framework…
The March 30 Deadline Facing California Employers Under SB 294
Most California employers took care of the February 1, 2026 distribution deadline under SB 294 — the Workplace Know Your Rights Act. But many have not yet addressed the law’s second compliance obligation, which arrives on March 30, 2026. That deadline is now two weeks away.
By March 30, every California employer must give current…
The Labor Commissioner Has Released the Official “Know Your Rights” Notice — What California Employers Need to Do Next
The California Labor Commissioner published the official “California Workplace – Know Your Rights” notice (available here in English and Spanish) required under the Workplace Know Your Rights Act (SB 294).
The first mandatory distribution date is February 1, 2026.
Here are five things every California employer should understand now.
1. Distribution Rules Are Specific…
Zaller Law Group’s 2025 Year in Review
Happy Holidays! As we close out 2025, I’m reflecting on an incredible year at Zaller Law Group. This year brought both challenges and opportunities for California employers—from navigating new 2026 legislation to managing the ongoing wave of PAGA litigation, to embracing AI tools that are transforming how businesses operate.
Despite the complexity of California’s regulatory…
Five 2025 Employment Law Cases California Employers Need to Understand
2025 has delivered a series of powerful—and practical—employment law decisions. These five cases carry direct lessons for every California employer, especially in areas where minor missteps can lead to major liability.
1. Iloff v. Bridgeville Properties, Inc. – California Supreme Court (2025) – “Good Faith” Requires Real Effort
This case involved a handyman who performed…
The Workplace Know Your Rights Act: 5 Things California Employers Must Understand Before 2026
California’s employment laws never stay still—and 2025 and 2026 are shaping up to bring even more compliance challenges for employers. One of the biggest new laws on the horizon is Senate Bill 294, better known as the Workplace Know Your Rights Act.
This new law adds major notice, training, and recordkeeping requirements for all…