With the passing of California SB 294, by February 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, employers are required to provide a stand-alone written notice to current employees and new employees upon hire, with information related to employee rights, including:
Articles Discussing General Workplace Issues in California.
2026 California Employment Law Update: Independent Contractors and Employee Vehicle Business Expenses
Effective January 1, 2026, SB 809 adds Labor Code sections 2750.9, 2775.5, and 2802.2. The law reaffirms that mere ownership of a vehicle, including a personal vehicle or a commercial vehicle used by a person in providing labor or services for remuneration, does not make that person an independent contractor. The ABC test still applies, meaning drivers may be classified as independent contractors only if they are free from the hiring entity’s control, do not work outside the hiring entity’s usual course of the business, and are running an independent business.
2026 California Employment Law Update: California Bans “Stay to Play” Clauses
Cannabis at Work: Navigating California’s New Protections Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
California’s off-duty cannabis use protections continue to evolve, and employers are scrambling to update policies. In this episode, Jen breaks down recent…
Employment Law Trends to Watch This Year – Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
Employment law risk doesn’t stand still—especially in California. In this episode, Jen discusses the key trends, enforcement priorities, and litigation risks employers should be watching this year, and how to stay ahead of them.
More Thoughts About the “Know Your Rights Act” Notice
California employers are now navigating SB 294, which requires employers to provide employees with a workplace “Know Your Rights” notice addressing interactions with law enforcement, including immigration enforcement, and certain constitutional protections. To assist employers,
A Few Thoughts About the New “Know Your Rights Act” Notice – Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
In this episode, Jen explains what information employers must include in the new “Know Your Rights” notice and why it may not be the best approach to use the DIR’s template version without tailoring it first.
California Employment Law in the New Year: Your Tasks for Day One Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
A new year brings new compliance risks for California employers. In this episode, Jen breaks down the must-know employment law updates and practical steps…
Pay Equity 2.0: California Expands Transparency Rules (SB 642) Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
Pay equity is getting a major upgrade in 2026. SB 642 redefines “wages,” extends protections to non-binary employees, and tightens job-posting rules. Jen…
California Employment Law in the New Year: Your Tasks for Day One – Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
A new year brings new compliance risks for California employers. In this episode, Jen breaks down the must-know employment law updates and practical steps employers should take right now to start the year protected – and avoid costly mistakes.
California Employment Law Developments Employers Should Prepare for in 2026
California lawmakers continue to expand employee protections while increasing compliance obligations for employers.
“Know Your Rights” Notice and Other Tidbits
Happy Tuesday! A few important compliance updates to keep on your radar: “Know Your Rights” Notice. Right on time, the California Department of Industrial Relations has published the updated “Know Your Rights” notice. Employers must provide a
Why Does California Impose Such High Penalties for Rest Break Violations?
California’s penalties for rest-break violations are steep. California employers that fail to provide compliant breaks face multiple layers of exposure, including one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of pay for each workday a compliant rest or recovery period was not provided, a potential penalty for related
New “Workplace Know Your Rights” Model Notice Published by Labor Commissioner
The Labor Commissioner has published a model Workplace “Know Your Rights” Notice pursuant to Senate Bill 294 (SB 294), also known as the Workplace Know Your Rights Act. This Act introduces annual notice requirements and new rules related to employee arrests or detentions. Beginning February 1, 2026, and every year thereafter, all California employers must… Continue Reading
California ‘Workplace Know Your Rights Act’ Template Notice Now Available
Under the new California “Workplace Know Your Rights Act” (Senate Bill (SB) 294), employers must provide a new notice to employees by February 1, 2026. Lawmakers drafted the legislation to ensure that employers inform their employees about labor protections, immigration-related rights, and workplace-based constitutional protections. The California labor commissioner has