2026 IRS Mileage Rate Increases
On December 29, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the 2026 optional standard mileage rates, which are used to calculate the deductible costs of…
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…
Reflecting on 2025, Preparing for 2026! Happy Holidays!
Behind the scenes, we’re busy preparing for the new 2026 employment laws starting on January 1, so HRWatchdog will be taking a break until the…
Employers’ Obligations Under the Workplace Know Your Rights Act
In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber General Counsel, Labor and Employment Bianca Saad and CalChamber Associate General Counsel, Labor and Employment Matthew Roberts…
Doctor’s Note Not a Requirement for Using Paid Sick Leave
Can I require a doctor’s note after an employee has been out sick for three consecutive days? The answer to this question depends on whether…
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…
Deductions from Employee Wages Not Allowed Except in Limited Cases
One of our employees is continually short on their cash drawer. Can we deduct the shortage from the employee’s tips if the employee agrees to…
