Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, employees might find themselves in a celebratory mood, and some employees may feel — because it’s a... The post Read This Before Your Friday Halloween Party first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
On January 1, 2026, the overtime exemption rates for computer software employees and licensed physicians will increase, so employers must ensure these employees’ hourly rates are not less than... The post 2026 Computer Professionals, Licensed Physicians Rates first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
Two lawsuits were recently filed challenging the new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions. As previously reported, on September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a... The post New H-1B Visa Fee Faces Legal Challenges first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
On October 15, 2025, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a lawsuit against California challenging a new state labor law that would expand the... The post NLRB Challenges California Law Expanding State Labor Board Power first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
With the special statewide election approaching on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, California employers must ensure they’re fully complying with the state’s voting leave requirements. Employers... The post California Employer Election-Related Responsibilities first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
One of our employees is a “furry” and has asked to come into the office dressed as a furry. Do we have to accommodate this... The post ‘Furry’ Query Shows Advisability of Formalized Dress Code Definitions first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
Not only does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protect employees from discrimination based upon their religious beliefs, but it also obligates employers to... The post Religious Beliefs and Job Requirements Must Conflict for Religious Discrimination Claims first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
Yesterday, the annual legislative cycle concluded as California Governor Gavin Newsom signed or vetoed the last legislative bills sent to him. The Governor acted on... The post New 2026 Labor and Employment Laws first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA)’s recent action serves as an important reminder for employers to follow the requirements of the California Consumer Privacy Act... The post $1.35 Million Dollars Fine for California Employer’s Privacy Act Violations Involving Job Applicant Data first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
The San Diego City Council recently adopted the Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance that will increase the pay for employees who work at hotels, event centers... The post City of San Diego Raises Wages for Certain Hospitality Employees first appeared on HRWatchdog.| HRWatchdog
After several delays, the long-awaited California health care worker minimum wage law takes effect on October 16, 2024. When the California Department of Health Care Services submitted a notice to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that data retrieval necessary for Medi-Cal increases began on October 1, it created a 15-day window for the health care| HRWatchdog -
On January 1, 2025, the overtime exemption rates for computer software employees and licensed physicians will increase — so employers need to make sure that these employees’ hourly rate is not less than the increased specified rates below in order to be exempt from overtime requirements. Specifically, for computer software employees: The minimum hourly rate| HRWatchdog -
For the first time, a plurality of California voters has rejected a statewide minimum wage increase, reflecting heightened concerns about the affordability of everyday life. Proposition 32 would have raised California’s minimum wage to $18 per hour effective in 2025 for employers of more than 25 people and effective in 2026 for others. The California Secretary| HRWatchdog -
We are a fast food restaurant covered by the recent minimum wage law for fast food restaurant employees. Does this law also affect the minimum salary we must pay to our exempt managers? Yes, the recent minimum wage law hike for fast food chain workers also has a substantial impact on the minimum salary required| HRWatchdog -
California’s health care worker minimum wage gets delayed again — with a few possible start dates depending on certain circumstances. In 2023, Governor Gavin Newsome signed SB 525, which required certain health care facilities to pay a special minimum wage to their employees starting June 1, 2024. Then, on the certain subsequent June 1, that| HRWatchdog -
Instead of the beginning of the year, several California cities and counties implement their local minimum wage rate increases on July 1. California employers with employees working in these jurisdictions should be prepared for these new mid-year local minimum wage rates going into effect. Effective July 1, 2024, these localities will increase their minimum wage to:| HRWatchdog -
Beginning April 1, 2024, the minimum wage for fast food restaurant employees will increase to $20 per hour. Fast food restaurant employers must ensure they’re not only paying all employees accurately but also posting the required notices in each business location and job site where employees can easily see and read them. Last year, when| HRWatchdog -
On July 17, 2023, the California Supreme Court issued a significant ruling around the Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (PAGA), which authorizes “an aggrieved employee” to bring a civil action against an employer on behalf of themselves and other current or former employees, acting as a proxy or agent of the state. The July| HRWatchdog -
In a win for California employers, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that individual claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) can be compelled to arbitration if the employee signed a valid arbitration agreement to that effect (Viking River Cruises v. Moriana, 596 U.S. __ (June 15, 2022)). Specifically, the Supreme Court ruled that| HRWatchdog -
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Many California jurisdictions are ringing in the new year with local minimum wage increases so California employers should double check the local minimum wage(s) in jurisdictions where their employees work and make any necessary adjustments by January 1 to ensure compliance. Here’s a breakdown of the local minimum wage rate increases across the state: Belmont:| HRWatchdog -
On Thursday, August 1, the California Department of Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw officially certified that beginning January 1, 2025, California’s minimum wage will increase from $16 per hour to $16.50 per hour for all employers, regardless of size. Per California’s Labor Code, once the state’s minimum wage reaches $15 per hour — which occurred January 1, 2023| HRWatchdog -
Using “headless” Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) actions as a tool for plaintiffs to avoid arbitration of their individual PAGA claims has been significantly undermined with a recent California Court of Appeal decision. In Leeper v. Shipt, Inc. (B339670, December 31, 2024), the court rejected the plaintiff’s argument that her PAGA action couldn’t be compelled| HRWatchdog -
In a recent case, the California Supreme Court limited a PAGA plaintiff’s ability to intervene in another PAGA action and object to a settlement.| HRWatchdog
In this episode of The Workplace podcast, we discuss the requirements of California’s new workplace violence regulation/standard, SB 553.| HRWatchdog
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We discuss the common questions, practical challenges and lessons employers have been experiencing as they implement workplace violence prevention programs.| HRWatchdog
CalChamber employment law experts discuss the recent PAGA reform and provide compliance best practices, including reasonable steps to limit exposure.| HRWatchdog
In a recent court ruling, California's paid sick leave law allows an employee to bring a Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims against their employer| HRWatchdog
The California Supreme Court says the Legislature’s overall Private Attorneys’ General Act (PAGA) design exempted public entities from its PAGA penalties.| HRWatchdog
Is there an “official” document stating that meal breaks must start 4 hours and 59 minutes into an employee’s eight-hour shift?| HRWatchdog
California's worker classification laws continue to develop, most recently in state court where a judge held California’s Proposition 22 unconstitutional.| HRWatchdog
In this podcast, we discuss Prop 22 passing, which classifies app-based drivers as independent contractors, and what that means for California employers.| HRWatchdog
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The California Supreme Court ruled Proposition 22 is constitutional — classifying certain app-based rideshare, delivery drivers as independent contractors| HRWatchdog
New PWFA regulations are effective and California employers need to be aware of several notable PWFA provisions different from California law.| HRWatchdog
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved a final rule that effectively bans workplace non-compete agreements.| HRWatchdog
