Author: James W. Ward

Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Regulation Sunsetting
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Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Regulation Sunsetting

As of today, February 3, 2025, California employers mostly no longer have any COVID-19 prevention regulatory requirements, with the exception of reporting and recording requirements…

Executive Order Requiring Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors Revoked
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Posted in Discrimination Workplace Policies

Executive Order Requiring Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors Revoked

Through several significant executive actions, President Donald Trump has begun reshaping the federal administration’s priorities and objectives for the next four years. Among them, he…

New 2025 Employment Laws Reminder!
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Posted in General

New 2025 Employment Laws Reminder!

Happy New Year! 2025 brings numerous employment law updates, so here’s a quick reminder of the new changes that employers should be prepared for, including:…

NLRB Decision Makes It Harder to Make Changes in Unionized Workplaces
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Posted in Labor Relations

NLRB Decision Makes It Harder to Make Changes in Unionized Workplaces

On December 10, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a decision that will make it harder for employers to make changes to their…

Ninth Circuit Rules Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Exceeded Presidential Authority
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Posted in Minimum Wage

Ninth Circuit Rules Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Exceeded Presidential Authority

On November 5, 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal contractor minimum wage mandate, issued under Executive Order 14026, exceeded the…

Federal Court Vacates New Federal Overtime Rule
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Posted in Overtime

Federal Court Vacates New Federal Overtime Rule

On November 15, a federal district court ruled that the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) overtime rule — which raised the salary threshold for the…

Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Reform FAQs Published
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Posted in Workplace Policies

Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Reform FAQs Published

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and its recent reforms, providing…

California Employment Laws Starting 2025
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Posted in Discrimination General Harassment Independent Contractor Minimum Wage Posters and Notices Time Off Workplace Safety

California Employment Laws Starting 2025

We’ve reached October — the annual legislative cycle has ended as California Governor Gavin Newsom signed or vetoed bills over the last few weeks. Now…

National Heat Illness Prevention Rule for Indoor, Outdoor Workers Proposed
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Posted in Heat Illness

National Heat Illness Prevention Rule for Indoor, Outdoor Workers Proposed

On August 30, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the agency’s first proposed indoor and outdoor heat illness prevention rule. Although a…

Form I-9 Expiration Date Extended
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Posted in Form I-9

Form I-9 Expiration Date Extended

Don’t panic! The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated their Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification but only the expiration date was extended — to 05/31/27….