Author: James W. Ward

CRD Updates Pay Data Reporting Resources
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Posted in Reporting Requirements

CRD Updates Pay Data Reporting Resources

It’s that time of year again for certain California employers. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has updated its pay data reporting resources. Covered employers…

1967
Posted in General Harassment

EEOC Withdraws Workplace Harassment Guidance

On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted 2-1 to rescind its Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace, which was…

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Posted in FMLA/CFRA General

DOL Opinion Letters Address FMLA Questions About Travel Time and Temporary Closures

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued two opinion letters addressing employer questions under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regarding whether time…

3275
Posted in Hiring

H-1B Visa Updates: New Selection Rules, $100k Fee Withstands Legal Challenge

On December 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it was amending regulations governing the H-1B visa selection process, moving from a…

Labor Commissioner Publishes Workplace Know Your Rights Model Notice
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Posted in Posters and Notices

Labor Commissioner Publishes Workplace Know Your Rights Model Notice

The California Labor Commissioner has published the model notice required under California’s new Workplace Know Your Rights Act, which took effect January 1, 2026. Employers…

Federal Court Largely Suspends California’s New Labor Law
2657
Posted in Labor Relations

Federal Court Largely Suspends California’s New Labor Law

On December 26, 2025, a federal court temporarily blocked major provisions of a new California labor law that would have given the California Public Employment…

New 2026 Employment Laws Reminder
4327
Posted in General

New 2026 Employment Laws Reminder

Happy New Year! 2026 is here, and California employers know what that means — new employment laws just took effect. Here’s a quick reminder of…

Tax Deductions for Tips, Overtime Under One Big, Beautiful Bill Act
7690
Posted in Compensation

Tax Deductions for Tips, Overtime Under One Big, Beautiful Bill Act

Known as the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, H.R. 1 brought numerous federal law changes, mainly to federal tax law, when it was signed on…

NLRB Challenges California Law Expanding State Labor Board Power
3004
Posted in Labor Relations

NLRB Challenges California Law Expanding State Labor Board Power

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…

New 2026 Labor and Employment Laws
12299
Posted in General

New 2026 Labor and Employment Laws

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…