Insight & Commentary on California Workplace Law Issues & Developments
August 13, 2026 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PST
Join Jackson Lewis P.C. attorneys in reviewing mid-year updates to California employment law. We will provide an overview of important case rulings, statutory developments thus far in 2026 and significant pending legislation California employers should be watching for this legislative season. This program will benefit HR…
At the start of the year, the state minimum wage increased, along with several local jurisdictions. Many other California cities and counties will also increase their minimum wage on July 1.
The following localities will raise their minimum wage on July 1, 2026:
| Locality | Current Minimum Wage | New Minimum Wage |
| Alameda | $17.46 | $17.76 |
California employers should take note that the Cal/OSHA workplace posting titled “Safety and Health Protection on the Job” was updated in April 2026. The poster summarizes key workplace safety and health obligations under California law and must be displayed in a conspicuous location where employee notices are customarily posted. Failure to display the notice…
Employers in the entertainment industry know that payroll compliance can be uniquely complicated. Production schedules change, wrap dates move, and crew members may be hired for short stints across multiple projects.
California has a special final pay statute aimed at this reality: Labor Code section 201.5, which sets rules for when and how final wages…
Effective January 1, 2026, California Assembly Bill (AB) 653, dubbed the California Abuse Mandated Entertainment Reporter Act (“CAMERA”), expanded the list of “mandated reporters” under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (“CANRA”) codified under California’s Penal Code to include any individual employed as a talent agent, talent manager, or talent coach who provide…
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…
Several employment-related cases are currently pending before the California Supreme Court, and their outcomes could have a significant impact on workplace policies and risk management for employers and HR professionals.
Fuentes v. Empire Nissan, Inc.
This case addresses whether a form arbitration agreement required as a condition of employment is unenforceable due to unconscionability.
The…
Recently, California’s Governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 590, which expands eligibility for benefits under the state paid family leave program to include individuals who take time off to care for a seriously ill designated person.
In 2022, the state passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1041, which allowed employees to take leave to care for…
On October 12, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 294, which requires employers in California to provide a stand-alone written notice of worker rights to each new employee when hired, and annually to all current employees. It also tasks the Labor Commissioner with developing and annually updating a template notice and related educational…
