As is well known, employers are required to provide rest breaks to all non-exempt employees whose total daily work time is at least 3.5 hours. These rest breaks must be at the rate of 10 “net” minutes for every four hours worked or “major fraction thereof.” In a...

Employers who are served with wage garnishments on behalf of their employees must adjust the amounts withheld. Beginning July 1, 2016, a withholding order cannot exceed the lesser of: 25 percent of an individual’s weekly disposable earnings; or 50 percent of the...

In 1995 California’s ban on smoking in the workplace was implemented prohibiting employers from knowingly or intentionally permitting the smoking of tobacco products at work, including lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, stairwells, elevators and restrooms, or in an...

On May 18, 2016, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the long awaited changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations that significantly affect who may continue to be classified as exempt under the executive, administrative and professional exemptions...

On April 4, 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 3 into law which addresses several issues including an increase of the state’s minimum wage. The minimum wage shall increase as of January 1, 2017 with additional increases through January 1, 2022 when it reaches...

As was discussed in our last Special Bulletin, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has issued amended regulations relating to an employer’s obligation to prevent and remedy workplace harassment. Additional amendments will also become effective April...

The USCIS published a notice on March 28, 2016 informing the public of proposed changes to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, as the current form is set to expire 3/31/16. The public comment period runs until April 27, 2016. A summary of the proposed...

New regulations regarding an employer’s obligation to prevent workplace misconduct have been adopted by the California Fair Employment and Housing Council (FEHC). Implementation of these new regulations will be by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH),...

All employers must have notices posted in the workplace which  are legally required by both state and federal regulations. The posting must be in a conspicuous area accessible to all employees at each worksite. The size of the workforce will determine which posters...

Well I am not sure how it happened, but it’s the end of the year again .... and with year-end comes planning to implement all the new laws which take effect in 2016, and let’s not forget planning some holiday festivities.  Below is a summary of many of the new laws...