2026 Court Cases HR Should Watch

Several employment cases currently working their way through the appellate courts are poised for California Supreme Court review in 2026. These cases do not just clarify narrow disputes—they have the potential to reshape everyday HR practices, from timekeeping and...

SB 513 Is Coming: What HR Needs to Fix in Personnel Files Before 2026

California continues to expand employee access to personnel records—and SB 513 is the next change for which HR teams must prepare.  Effective January 1, 2026, SB 513 amends Labor Code section 1198.5 by expanding what documents qualify as a “personnel record” to which...

California’s Pay Transparency Shift

California has long been at the forefront of employee-protection laws, and compensation transparency is no exception. For decades, employers commonly tried to limit pay discussions to avoid tension among staff. But wage secrecy is largely incompatible with...

Holiday HR Tips

Yes, this is our second holiday post in the past few weeks. We focused the last one on parties, but there’s more to discuss! The holiday season is a welcome opportunity to recognize employees and build connections. It also brings unique challenges for HR professionals...

Strong Documentation Saves the Day

A new decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit—Chapman v. Maryland Department of State Police—reinforces a critical truth: good documentation wins cases. Although this decision is not binding on California employers, it offers an important...
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