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Mid-Year Minimum Wage Increases in California

Mae G. Alberto, Jennifer S. Grock — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:01 -0700

California state’s minimum wage increased on January 1, 2026, from $16.50 per hour to $16.90. However, employers may be subject to higher minimum wage obligations, as many cities and counties across the state have enacted their own minimum wage ordinances. Below, we provide information regarding which local minimum wages will increase, effective July 1, 2026:

SB 513 Expands Employers’ Recordkeeping Requirements for Education and Training Records

Steve Araiza — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:00:02 -0800

California Senate Bill 513—recently signed into law and effective January 1, 2026—significantly expands employer recordkeeping obligations related to education and training. The law amends Labor Code §1198.5 to require employers who maintain education or training records to include the following details in such records in each employee’s personnel file:

Employee’s name
Training provider name
Duration and date of the training
Core competencies covered, including any equipment or software skills
The resulting certification or qualification

California Court Clarifies Sick Leave Pay Calculation for Outside Sales Employees

Jonathan Judge, Julie F. Smith — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:00:03 -0700

In a recent decision, a California appellate court provided important guidance for employers calculating paid sick leave for outside sales employees.

California’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $16.90 Per Hour on January 1, 2026

Jennifer S. Grock — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 09:00:04 -0700

California’s Director of Finance has certified that the Golden State’s minimum wage will increase to $16.90 per hour effective January 1, 2026, in accordance with applicable Labor Code requirements.

California Agency Issues Guidance on Violence Leave

Ronald W. Novotny, Jonathan Judge — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:00:05 -0700

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) recently rolled out its latest guidance and model notice for employees who are victims of violence or abuse and wish to take time off under law that was amended effective January 1, 2025. The guidance, which the CRD released earlier this month, is designed to ensure that employees understand the rights they are entitled to under AB 2499 that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law last year.

California Employers Should Review Their Cellular Phone and Driving Policies Following Recent Court of Appeal Decision

Jennifer S. Grock, Jonathan Judge — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:00:06 -0700

California employers are encouraged to review their cellular phone and driving policies in light of a recent Court of Appeal decision which bars drivers from using any functions on a handheld cellular phone while driving. People v. Porter, 111 Cal. App. 5th 927, 333 Cal. Rptr. 3d 168, 171 (2025).

Numerous Local Minimum Wages Poised to Increase Effective July 1, 2025

Grant C. Furukawa — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 09:00:07 -0700

On July 1, 2025, multiple California cities and counties will implement mid‑year minimum wage increases. These adjustments generally reflect shifts in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and are designed to help employees keep pace with inflation. Below is a non-exhaustive list of the jurisdictions that will raise their minimum wage:

U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services Issues Updated I-9 Form

Jennifer S. Grock — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:00:08 -0700

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued an updated version of Form I-9 in order to align with statutory language. The updated Form I-9 has an edition date of 01/20/25 and an expiration date of 05/31/2027. It is available here and in the “Forms and Document Downloads” section of the “I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification” webpage.

President Trump’s Executive Orders on DEI

Mae G. Alberto — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:00:09 -0700

Controversy surrounding “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) programs is neither new nor surprising. But since the beginning of 2025, increased challenges and scrutiny of the term DEI itself has called into question the state of its future existence.

California Court of Appeal Upholds Revocable, Prospective Meal Period Waivers

Jennifer S. Grock, Jonathan Judge — Thu, 01 May 2025 09:00:10 -0700

On April 21, 2025, the California Court of Appeal issued a new, published opinion in Bradsbery v. Vicar Operating, Inc. in which the court concluded that revocable, prospective, “blanket” meal period waivers are enforceable in the absence of any evidence that the waivers are unconscionable or unduly coercive to the employee.