If you are in HR, you’re no stranger to compliance management, forms, and deadlines—though keeping them all in order may be a different story. We want to be sure you are equipped with the right information to keep everything on track throughout the year, from ACA to FLSA. That is why we put together the …
Monthly Compliance Calendar Alert – August 2024 – Heat Safety Read More »
Paid Family Leave Grant Available to Small Businesses Small Business Grant Money for Paid Family Leave As of June 2024, California businesses with between 1 and 100 employees may qualify to receive grants of up to $2,000 for each employee who is off work for a reason covered by California’s Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) program. …
Senate Bill 497 (SB 497) heralds a significant shift in California’s employment law landscape, particularly concerning retaliation against employees for engaging in protected activities. This groundbreaking legislation introduces pivotal changes aimed at fortifying employee rights and imposing stricter penalties on non-compliant employers. Let’s delve into the core provisions of SB 497 and explore its implications …
URGENT CA: New Employee Protections Against Retaliation Read More »
California has enacted a new workplace violence prevention law, SB 553/California Labor Code Section 6401.9, requiring nearly all California employers to develop and implement a written workplace violence prevention plan (which can be a part of an existing Illness and Injury Prevention Plan), provide annual training on the plan to employees, and maintain a log of …
URGENT CA: Workplace Violence Prevention Model Plan Read More »
If you are in HR, you’re no stranger to compliance management, forms, and deadlines—though keeping them all in order may be a different story. We want to be sure you are equipped with the right information to keep everything on track throughout the year, from ACA to FLSA. That is why we put together the …
Effective January 1, 2024, California has published a new Wage Theft Notice, often called the Notice to Employee at Time of Hire (and found in the Guardian HR Forms Library), which has been updated to reflect both the new California Sick Leave law, as well as non-exempt employee’s pay rates, designated paydays, appliable overtime rates, …
URGENT CA: Why Wage Theft is So Critical in California Read More »
California Paid Sick Leave (SB 616) California’s new paid sick leave law, Senate bill (SB) 616, significantly expands California’s existing paid sick leave law (i.e., the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014). Paid sick leave entitlement Under SB 616, an employee is now entitled to five days or forty hours of paid sick leave. Previously, …
On October 4, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an increase to the current California Sick Leave Law (SB 616).Effective January 1, 2024, employers must increase the amount of sick leave provided to California employees from three days/24 hours to five days/40 hours.Accrual, Carryover and FrontloadUnder this new update, employers who permit employees to accrue paid …
URGENT CA: California Paid Sick Leave Requirements Increase Effective January 2024 Read More »
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) announced on Tuesday, September 26th that California’s minimum wage will increase to $16 per hour for all employers on January 1, 2024. Some cities and counties in California have a local minimum wage that is higher than the state rate, which will supersede this rule. The change in …
URGENT CA: California’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $16 per hour in January 2024 Read More »
The California Civil Rights Department has approved proposed changes to the regulations applicable to the use of an applicant’s criminal history in making employment decisions. The revised regulations are effective on October 1, 2023. What Employers need to know: You still cannot inquire about an “applicant’s” criminal history prior to making a conditional job offer …
URGENT CA: Revised Criminal History Regulations Approved for California Employers Read More »
On February 28, 2023, the California Civil Rights Division (CRD) – formerly known as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (FEHA) – released updates to their frequently asked questions (FAQs) section on the 2022 California pay data reports, which covered employers must submit via the CRD’s pay data portal by May 10. California’s pay …
URGENT CA: Updated Information for the 2022 Pay Data Reporting Read More »
A federal appeals court just paved the way for California employers to continue utilizing mandatory arbitration agreements with employees and job applicants. California’s Assembly Bill 51 (AB 51), which was slated to take effect January 1, 2020, placing a ban on mandatory arbitration in employment in California has been the subject of back-and-forth legal …
The COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations requiring employers to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19 are now in effect, following their approval on February 3, 2023, by the Office of Administrative Law. The new regulations will remain in effect through February 3, 2025, with recordkeeping requirements in effect through February 3, 2026. The Non-Emergency Regulations …
URGENT CA: CAL/OSHA COVID-19 Non-Emergency Regulations in Effect Read More »
California’s minimum wage will increase to $15.50 per hour for all employers on January 1, 2023. Some cities and counties in California have a local minimum wage that is higher than the state rate. You can view a chart outlining all minimum wage requirements for states, cities, and counties in the Guardian HR Forms Library’s …
URGENT CA: California’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.50 Per Hour Read More »
Effective January 1, 2023, SB 1162 was signed into law, which aligns California with a growing national trend mandating pay transparency in the workplace. This sweeping new law imposes two significant requirements on covered employers: job-posting requirements and pay data disclosures. The law requires public and private employers with 15 or more employees to include …
On October 19, 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released the ‘Know Your Rights’ poster, which updates and replaces the previous “EEO is the Law” poster. Covered employers are required by federal law to prominently display the poster at their work sites. The EEOC’s web page for the poster provides information about where …
AB 152 extends the California Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (CA SPSL) rights until December 31, 2022. Although the time in which workers may use COVID-19 supplemental leave will be extended by three months, this Bill does not provide additional leave time for those employees who have already exhausted their COVID-19-related leave time in 2022. Under …
URGENT CA: California Extends the Supplemental Paid Sick Leave through December 31, 2022 Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]On California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022), at …
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]On July 15, the California Supreme Court issued a decision that will increase California employers’ potential liability for missed meal, rest and recovery breaks. In that decision (Ferra V. Lowes Hollywood Hotel LLC.), the Court unanimously held that employers …
URGENT CA: California Updates Premium Payments for Meal and Rest Break Violations Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]On July 1, 2021, the minimum wage rate will increase in a number of cities/counties across California, including Los Angeles and San Francisco: Alameda Berkely $16.32 Emeryville $17.13 Fremont $15.25 (Large Employers), $15.00 (Small Employers) Los Angeles …
URGENT CA: Minimum Wage Rate Changes Effective July 1 Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]On May 5, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health—known as Cal/OSHA—issued much-awaited FAQs, which provide clarity on whether employers must continue to exclude fully vaccinated employees from the workplace if they were exposed to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case (at …
URGENT CA: Cal/OSHA Issues Guidance on Fully Vaccinated Employees Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Synopsis: Back in January 2020, a federal district court enjoined the State of California from enforcing AB 5 against interstate motor carriers. Now, in a split 2-1 decision, a Ninth Circuit panel has reversed the district court, on the …
CA: Ninth Circuit Applies AB 5 Against Interstate Motor Carriers Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Guardian HR has put together a comparison chart of California laws on paid family leave, paid sick leave, 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave and voluntary leave under FFCRA as amended by the American Rescue Plan (ARPA). The California …
CA: Side by Side Comparison of COVID-19 Paid Leave in California Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″]On January 26, 2021, the counties of Los Angeles and Sonoma in California voted on the expansion and extension of California’s Supplemental Paid Sick Leave. For Los Angeles, the County Board of Supervisors has voted to expand and extend …
CA: California Counties Vote on Extending and Expanding Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]Each year the California legislature passes new and amended employment laws that impact businesses that operate in California. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant legal changes for California employers in 2020 and those changes will continue into 2021. From increased minimum …
CA EMPLOYERS: California Legislative Update Cheat Sheet Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]2020 has been an unprecedented year in many ways, but one thing that remains constant is the legislature’s enactment of new laws that impact employers. Ranging from Covid-19 legislation to revisions to worker classification laws, new reporting requirements, and mandatory additions …
URGENT CA: 2021 Labor & Employment Law Update for California Employers Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″]The time has come for a review of the new employment laws taking effect on January 1, 2021, in order to determine their impact and get your organization ready to comply. The new laws – more than 100 in total …
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″]For any employer operating in California, pursuant to AB 685, starting January 1, 2021, all employers must be prepared for multiple new notice requirements when employees test positive for Covid-19. There is a written notice that must be sent to …
URGENT CA Alert: A.B. 685 Compliance Notice of Possible Exposure Read More »
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]As COVID-19 vaccines become available, many employers will have a strong case for requiring employee vaccinations, so long as their vaccination policies have certain exceptions, are job-related, and are consistent with business necessity, legal experts say. “Employers may require vaccines …
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″]On November 30th and effective immediately, Cal/OSHA’s emergency regulations require employers to protect employees from diseases like the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Cal/OSHA has posted the following resources to help employers comply with these requirements and to provide workers information on …
CAL/OSHA’s Emergency Standard Compliance Checklist Read More »
