Author: James W. Ward
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…
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
Employer Didn’t Violate Title VII When It Denied Vaccine Accommodation
Recently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court ruling for Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue (SRFR), finding it didn’t violate Title VII…
California Supreme Court Clarifies Good-Faith Defense to Unpaid Wage Claims
Typically, employees who prove minimum wage violations are entitled to liquidated damages. Recently though, the California Supreme Court issued an opinion clarifying employers’ good-faith defense…
