What’s New?

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...

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...

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...

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...

The holiday season is officially here, and many California employers are planning in-person celebrations to close out the year. Although these events can be a wonderful way to boost morale and strengthen connections, they also create legal risks if not handled...

A newly published decision from the Fourth Circuit—Hall v. Sheppard Pratt Health System, Inc.—offers timely guidance on one of the most misunderstood duties in both disability and religious accommodation law: when an employer must consider reassignment to a vacant...

A new Eleventh Circuit decision, Mundt v. Sheriff, Okaloosa County, reinforces several key principles under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that employers across the country—including those in California covered by the Fair Employment and Housing Act...

As we move into 2026, California employers face a series of important compliance deadlines. One that deserves timely attention is the new notice requirement imposed by Senate Bill 294 (“SB 294”), which mandates that employers distribute a new standalone “Know Your...

California’s leave and accommodation landscape is expanding again in 2026 — and employers should start preparing now. With new legislation broadening when employees can take time off and heightened enforcement priorities under the Fair Employment and Housing Act...

California is doubling down on pay equity and transparency in 2026. Building on Senate Bill 1162—which created California’s modern pay data reporting program and job‑posting pay scale rules—the Civil Rights Department (CRD) will continue to require detailed annual pay...