Author: James W. Ward

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Posted in Exempt/Nonexempt Paid Sick Leave

California Court Clarifies Paid Sick Leave Calculation for Outside Sales Employees

A recent California Court of Appeal decision clarifies how employers may calculate paid sick leave for exempt outside salespersons under California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families…

5624
Posted in Minimum Wage

California’s 2026 Minimum Wage Increases to $16.90 Per Hour

On August 1, the California Department of Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw officially certified that beginning January 1, 2026, California’s minimum wage will increase to $16.90 per hour…

OFCCP Updates for Federal Contractors
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Posted in Discrimination

OFCCP Updates for Federal Contractors

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently proposed regulatory changes that will wind down federal contractor affirmative action programs under now-rescinded Executive Order…

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Posted in Workplace Safety

Keeping Up with Compliance at One-Year Anniversary of Workplace Violence Prevention Law

July 1, 2025, marked the one-year anniversary of SB 553, California’s comprehensive workplace violence prevention law, which means employers must ensure that they complete the…

Model Crime Victims’ Leave Notice Released
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Posted in Posters and Notices

Model Crime Victims’ Leave Notice Released

While most of California’s revised and expanded crime victims’ leave requirements took effect on January 1, 2025, the notice provision didn’t go into effect until…

Domestic Worker Employers Subject to Workplace Safety Rules Staring July 1
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Posted in Workplace Safety

Domestic Worker Employers Subject to Workplace Safety Rules Staring July 1

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently reminded employers of domestic workers that California’s workplace safety and health laws — enforced by the California…

California Labor Commissioner Issues Immigration Compliance Reminders
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Posted in Form I-9

California Labor Commissioner Issues Immigration Compliance Reminders

The California Labor Commissioner recently reminded California employers about California’s immigration laws and protections, highlighting that they protect every worker in the state — regardless…

U.S. Supreme Court Issues ‘Reverse Discrimination’ Decision
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Posted in Discrimination

U.S. Supreme Court Issues ‘Reverse Discrimination’ Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that members of a majority group claiming workplace discrimination do not need to meet a heightened evidentiary standard to…

California CRD’s New Age Discrimination Fact Sheet
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Posted in Discrimination

California CRD’s New Age Discrimination Fact Sheet

To coincide with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s proclamation that May is Older Californians Month, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) published a new fact sheet…

Federal Court Vacates EEOC’s Abortion Accommodation Requirement
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Posted in Pregnancy Disability Leave

Federal Court Vacates EEOC’s Abortion Accommodation Requirement

On May 21, 2025, a federal court in Louisiana vacated a portion of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) regulations,…