Labor Commissioner Publishes Workplace Know Your Rights Model Notice
5337
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
3307
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
5284
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…

Reflecting on 2025, Preparing for 2026! Happy Holidays!
2058
Posted in General

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
3502
Posted in Posters and Notices

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
16816
Posted in Paid Sick Leave

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
9422
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…

Deductions from Employee Wages Not Allowed Except in Limited Cases
3097
Posted in Compensation

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…

2026 Social Security Taxable Wage Base, California SDI Withholding Rate Increase
28199
Posted in Compensation

2026 Social Security Taxable Wage Base, California SDI Withholding Rate Increase

On January 1, 2026, both the Social Security taxable wage base and California’s state disability insurance (SDI) withholding rate will increase.  For 2026, the federal…

Who Is a Volunteer? Best Practices for Adult, Minor Volunteers
2100
Posted in Hiring

Who Is a Volunteer? Best Practices for Adult, Minor Volunteers

We are a nonprofit organization and have an on-site library staffed by volunteers. We want to invite youth/minors to volunteer for these roles as well….