It is a challenging labor market for the hospitality and restaurant industries. Many front- and back-of-house positions are notoriously hard to fill with capable and reliable individuals. The current immigration crack-down in many cities doesn’t help. Hospitality employers may want to consider second-chance
Latest from California Employment Law - Page 2
Are Direct-Hire 1099s Over?
Many industries rely on hiring independent contractors — sometimes referred to as “1099 employees” — for temporary or seasonal work. But is that the best practice for labor and employment compliance? Clearly not in California, given our special rules limiting
AI Chats are not Protected by Privilege
While not California specific, a first-of-its-kind ruling in federal court establishes that a client’s use of AI-generated chat content is not protected by an attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine. You can find a summary of the case, United States
Know Your Rights Notice Must Go to All Current Employees by February 1st
We are already halfway through January. As noted in a prior blog, SB 294 requires all CA employers to distribute a “Know Your Rights” Notice by February 1, 2026. That Notice has now been published in English and Spanish
California’s Nuclear Verdict Era: Strategic Imperatives for Employers and In-House Counsel
By Steven Moore and Jonathan Pearce
California employment litigation has entered a new era, marked by unprecedented jury awards, soaring punitive damages, and a plaintiff-side bar adept at leveraging venue and emotion. For employers operating in California—especially in Los Angeles
Doing Business in California Guide Updated for 2026
To remind yourself and your team about all the ways California employment law differs from federal law.
Upcoming California Employment Laws To Watch Out For in 2026 and Beyond
Wage and Hour Laws
AB 692 – Employment Contract Repayment Prohibition
AB 692 will apply to employment contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2026, and will apply to all employers in California. Under the new law, it will
Concerned about pay equity? Give HR a chance to explain
When I was recently asked to answer a reporter’s questions about pay equity, I jumped at the chance because I remembered an issue from my first full-time job that still irks me today. Thankfully the law in the US and
Three CA Handbook Updates for 2026
It’s time to update those handbooks for 2026 and while there are numerous new laws California employers must comply with, not all of them are, what I call, “handbook worthy.” Here are three changes I’m making to this year’s handbooks
Captive Audience Ban Challenge Upheld
California’s Captive Audience Ban, aka SB 399 (Labor Code § 1137) is in a temporary holding pattern. A California district court judge issued a preliminary injunction barring the government from enforcing the statute for now.