HRCalifornia Now News and Analysis

California and federal employment law, explained in plain language by the experts who track it.

New 2027 Employment Laws

October 1, 2026

Here’s a quick summary of new labor- and employment-related laws in 2027. Unless otherwise noted, new laws take effect January 1, 2027.

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Drug Testing Existing Employees: What California Employers Should Know

HRCalifornia NowJuly 9, 2026

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Stay ahead of what’s changing in California employment law

Browse articles on the latest labor and employment law developments.

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Governor Signs Paid Sick Leave Expansion Bill

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a California Chamber of Commerce job killer bill that will impose significant costs on all California businesses by increasing the number of paid sick days employers are required to provide workers.

HRCaliforniaarticle

October 9, 2023

Medical Certification Important for Workers’ Comp Claim Absences

We have an employee with an active workers’ compensation claim. We agreed with the employee that he would work a normal 40-hour-per-week schedule with exceptions for doctor’s appointments or therapy related to his injury. Instead, the employee’s absences have increased over time without medical certification. What recourse do we have?

HRCaliforniaarticle

October 6, 2023

Be Prepared for Wildfire Smoke

Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again: Although this year’s wildfire season has been less active than in years past, wildfire smoke can occur anywhere in California — and on short notice. In September, for instance, unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups impacted parts of Northern California, so the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) reminded employers to follow California’s Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard and prepare now.

HRCaliforniaarticle

October 4, 2023

Religious Beliefs, Gender Identity and Harassment Prevention Training

We have a new hire who says the harassment prevention training section on gender identity is against her religious beliefs and asks to skip this section of the training and testing. This is the first time we have had such a request. Isn’t this a required part of the training for California?

HRCaliforniaarticle

October 2, 2023

EEOC’s New Five-Year Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP)

On September 21, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released its Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) for fiscal years 2024 through 2028. As previously reported, in early 2023, the EEOC released a proposed SEP for stakeholder and public feedback. The SEP’s purpose is to coordinate enforcement efforts within the various EEOC field offices to create a unified list of priorities across multiple years. In other words, the SEP’s goals will drive EEOC enforcement actions against employers over the next five years.

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 28, 2023

Revised California Criminal History Regulations Start October 1

In July 2023, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) approved revised regulations relating to the use of criminal history in employment decisions under California’s Fair Chance Act. After the Office of Administrative Law reviews and approves the regulations, they’re set to take effect on October 1, 2023. Employers should look at their criminal background check procedures and make any changes necessary to make them compliant with the latest revisions. Here’s a brief update on what employers should keep in mind.

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 27, 2023

Trick or Treat: 2022 EEO-1 Data Collection Begins October 31

It’s not a trick — on September 1, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that the 2022 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. All employers with 100 or more employees (and federal government contractors with 50 or more employees) are obligated to report their EEO-1 Component 1 data, which includes information on the racial/ethnic and gender composition of an employer’s workforce by specific job categories.

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 27, 2023

HR Professional Day 2023: Celebrating Those Who Manage, Maintain the HR Lifecycle

Since 1959, HR professionals have been honored on September 26 — known as Human Resource Professional Day — for their hard work and contributions to their organizations.

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 26, 2023

After the Vote: Implementing an Alternative Workweek Schedule

My company adopted an alternative workweek schedule. Does this mean that all employees must work our alternative four-day 10-hour shift schedule, or can employees choose between the alternative schedule and a traditional five-day eight-hour shift schedule?

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 21, 2023

End of Session Update: 6 CalChamber Job Killer Bills Head to Governor

California legislators last week approved six bills designated by the California Chamber of Commerce as job killers, which will increase labor costs and create more liability for employers.

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 19, 2023

Intermittent Family Leave May Include Transfer to Different Position

Can we transfer an employee to a different position if the employee needs to take intermittent FMLA/CFRA leave for his medical treatments?

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 14, 2023

Reporting Time Pay: When It’s Owed Depends on Circumstances

My employee showed up for her shift in the wrong safety equipment, then later went home sick after clocking in for 30 minutes. Do I owe her “reporting time pay”?

HRCaliforniaarticle

September 13, 2023

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HRCalifornia Now News and Analysis

New 2027 Employment Laws

Drug Testing Existing Employees: What California Employers Should Know

Stay ahead of what’s changing in California employment law

Governor Signs Paid Sick Leave Expansion Bill

Medical Certification Important for Workers’ Comp Claim Absences

Be Prepared for Wildfire Smoke

Religious Beliefs, Gender Identity and Harassment Prevention Training

EEOC’s New Five-Year Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP)

Revised California Criminal History Regulations Start October 1

Trick or Treat: 2022 EEO-1 Data Collection Begins October 31

HR Professional Day 2023: Celebrating Those Who Manage, Maintain the HR Lifecycle

After the Vote: Implementing an Alternative Workweek Schedule

End of Session Update: 6 CalChamber Job Killer Bills Head to Governor

Intermittent Family Leave May Include Transfer to Different Position

Reporting Time Pay: When It’s Owed Depends on Circumstances

Get new HRCalifornia Now articles in your inbox.

Expert Workplace Commentary

Stay ahead of what’s changing in California employment law

Governor Signs Paid Sick Leave Expansion Bill

Medical Certification Important for Workers’ Comp Claim Absences

Be Prepared for Wildfire Smoke

Religious Beliefs, Gender Identity and Harassment Prevention Training

EEOC’s New Five-Year Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP)

Revised California Criminal History Regulations Start October 1

Trick or Treat: 2022 EEO-1 Data Collection Begins October 31

HR Professional Day 2023: Celebrating Those Who Manage, Maintain the HR Lifecycle

After the Vote: Implementing an Alternative Workweek Schedule

End of Session Update: 6 CalChamber Job Killer Bills Head to Governor

Intermittent Family Leave May Include Transfer to Different Position

Reporting Time Pay: When It’s Owed Depends on Circumstances