U.S. DOL Proposes New Joint-Employer Rule
On April 23, 2026 the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposed rule that would define when two or more entities are considered joint employers under the FLSA, FMLA and MSPA. The rule revives the 2020 framework but adds a control‑ability factor and a four‑factor test for vertical joint employment, while outlining a "sufficient association" test for horizontal arrangements. It is open for public comment for 60 days before a final rule is issued. California employers must also weigh the proposal against the state’s broader joint‑employer statutes.
Register Now to Understand California’s Complex Leave Laws
The California Chamber of Commerce is hosting a two‑day virtual seminar, "Leaves of Absence," on May 7‑8, 2026, to demystify the state’s intricate web of leave statutes. Attendees will receive expert guidance on overlapping regulations such as FMLA, CFRA, pregnancy...
What to Do If Employee Refuses to Sign Handbook Acknowledgment
A California employer discovered an employee has refused to sign the employee handbook acknowledgment for four months, citing the need for attorney review. While state law does not require a signature for the handbook itself, California regulations do mandate a...
Factors to Consider for Leave Request Not Related to Medical Reasons
An employee has asked for several months of non‑medical personal leave, but the company’s handbook lacks a specific policy. While family‑ and medical‑leave statutes provide clear entitlement criteria, personal leave remains discretionary and must be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis....
Sharpen Your HR Skills: Join HR Boot Camp This April
CalChamber is hosting a virtual HR Boot Camp on April 23‑24, 2026, offering two half‑day sessions that cover the full employment lifecycle from hiring to termination. The live, interactive seminar includes real‑world scenarios, Q&A via Zoom, and downloadable California‑specific templates,...
Workplace Violence Prevention Program Tips for 2026 Webinar
On April 16, 2026, CalChamber will host a 90‑minute live webinar titled “Workplace Violence Prevention Program Tips for 2026.” The session, priced at $269 (or $215 for Preferred Members), walks HR leaders and safety managers through California’s strict workplace‑violence standards,...
Navigating Drug Testing, Substance Use in Today’s Workplace
In a recent episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber attorneys Matthew Roberts and Bianca Saad dissect how California employers must balance safety with evolving legal protections around drug and alcohol use. They explain that while cannabis is legal, the state’s...
Costly Anti-AI, Other Employment-Related Proposals Added to CalChamber’s Affordability Agenda
The California Chamber of Commerce added five artificial‑intelligence‑related bills to its Affordability Agenda’s Cost Drivers list, labeling them as costly to businesses. The proposals include bans on AI health‑care tools, stricter disclosure rules, and expanded staff‑reduction notices tied to technology....
Time Off Request for Religious Reasons: Case-by-Case Decision Is Best
Employers covered by Title VII and California’s FEHA must provide reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs, but each request must be evaluated on its own facts. The law bars employers from probing an employee’s faith unless they have an...
Workplace Violence Prevention Standards: Correcting Misconceptions
In a recent episode of *The Workplace* podcast, CalChamber attorneys Matthew Roberts and Vanessa Greene dissect California’s two‑year‑old workplace violence prevention standards. They explain that compliance hinges on three core duties: a written, site‑specific prevention plan, employee‑focused training, and documented...
Volunteer Firefighters: Law Provides Protected Leave, No Time Limit
California’s Labor Code Sections 230.3 and 230.4 grant volunteer firefighters protected leave with no statutory time limit. Employers cannot prohibit the leave, retaliate, or demand advance notice of when the employee will be absent or return. Companies with 50 or...
California’s Workplace Know Your Rights Act Deadline Approaching: What Employers Must Do
California’s Workplace Know Your Rights Act mandates that by March 30, 2026 every employer must give employees the chance to name an emergency contact and specify if that contact should be alerted when the employee is arrested or detained on...
What to Consider When Terminating an Employee in California
In a recent episode of *The Workplace* podcast, CalChamber labor attorneys dissect the complexities of terminating employees in California. They explain that while the state follows at‑will employment, dismissals must avoid unlawful motives, especially when a worker belongs to a...
Costa Mesa Adopts Self-Checkout Staffing Ordinance
On February 17, 2026 Costa Mesa adopted an ordinance mandating staffing for self‑service checkout stations in drug and food retail establishments. The rule becomes effective April 28, 2026 and requires at least one employee for every three self‑checkout units, who...
Frequent Employer Questions About California’s Paid Sick Leave
California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act mandates paid sick leave for all employees, granting at least 24 hours of accrued leave and protecting workers from retaliation if adverse action follows leave within 30 days. Employers frequently ask how to prevent...