California Employment News

State law requires that employers take steps to prevent and correct wrongful behaviors in the workplace, such as discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Lizbeth (Beth) West explains what employers should know about mandatory harassment prevention training for non-supervisors and supervisors on this installment of California Employment News . Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel...

Wage and hour compliance remains a major source of risk for California employers. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin Associate Nikki Mahmoudi and Shareholder Ryan Abernethy discuss common issues involving meal and rest breaks, rounding, regular rate calculations, and employee attestations. Listen for a clear breakdown of common wage and hour mistakes California employer...

When an employee leaves, employers should act quickly to protect trade secrets, confidential business information, and customer relationships. In this 100th episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys James Kachmar and John Slavik discuss practical steps companies can take before, during, and after an employee’s departure. Listen for a breakdown of how California employe...

Meal and rest break compliance remains a key issue in California wage and hour litigation. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin Shareholders Meagan Bainbridge and Shauna Correia discuss how employers can use attestations to identify issues, correct them, and reduce legal exposure.   Listen for a breakdown at how California employers can use attestations as part of a...

Thinking about using a PEO or staffing agency? In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Lizbeth (Beth) V. West and Talia Delanoy discuss the risks and benefits employers should consider before entering into these relationships, including joint employer liability and key contract provisions.    

ICE has updated its audit guidelines, and the stakes for I-9 compliance just increased. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Shauna Correia and Meagan Bainbridge discuss how recent ICE changes are reclassifying common I-9 errors and what that means for employers facing potential audits.

Terminating an employee can present significant legal risk if not handled carefully. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Nikki Mahmoudi and John Slavik discuss best practices and key considerations employers should evaluate before making a termination decision.   Listen for a breakdown of what California employers need to know to approach employee terminat...

When an employment relationship ends, California employers have specific legal obligations they must meet. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin associates  Nikki Mahmoudi and Chris Horsley provide a practical refresher on final pay requirements and the key notices employers should be prepared to deliver.   Listen for guidance on what California employers need to know...

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in hiring, performance management, and workplace decision making. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin Shareholder Meagan D. Bainbridge and Senior Attorney Jackie Simonovich discuss practical steps employers should take when implementing AI and how to conduct meaningful bias audits. In this episode they cover: How to crea...

AI is showing up in hiring, recruiting, performance management, and employee monitoring. While these tools promise efficiency, they can also create significant legal risk if they result in discriminatory outcomes. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Jackie Simonovich and Lukas Clary discuss how employer use of AI can implicate Title VII, the ADA, and FEHA, and...

New guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor is changing how employers should track FMLA leave tied to medical appointments. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin shareholders Lizbeth (Beth) V. West and Meagan Bainbridge break down the DOL’s recent opinion letter and provide a practical refresher on how to properly calculate and track FMLA leave in a variety of scenarios...

In this episode of California Employment News, we break down AB 692, a law that places significant limits on so called “stay or pay” provisions in contracts between employers and workers in California. 
Weintraub Tobin attorneys Shauna Correia , Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment group, and associate, John Slavik , cover: Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel .

In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Chris Horsley and Ryan Abernethy break down employer obligations related to 401(k) retirement plans, CalSavers, and health benefits.     Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel .

Another update for California employers is on the horizon. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Meagan Bainbridge and Nikki Mahmoudi break down SB 513, a new law that clarifies what documents must be included in an employee’s personnel file which came into effect on January 1, 2026. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel .

With the holiday season upon us, there are some important tips for employers to keep in mind for holiday gatherings and celebrations. Meagan Bainbridge and Nikki Mahmoudi discuss these best practices in this special edition of California Employment News. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube here .  

In this episode, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Jackie Simonovich and Chris Horsley break down California’s expanded recall and reinstatement protections under AB 858, which are now in effect. The law requires hospitality, service, and travel industry employers to offer open positions to qualified laid-off employees and prohibits retaliation.   Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel .

Senate Bills 642 and 464 are set to take effect at the start of the new year, bringing important changes to the California workplace. Weintraub employment attorneys Lizbeth “Beth” West and Lukas Clary break down these new laws and what employers need to know on this episode of California Employment News. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel .

The Workplace Know Your Rights Act – SB 294, takes effect on January 1st, 2026 and provides requirements for employers to notify employees of their rights related to law enforcement interactions at work, as well as providing the option for employers to notify an emergency contact in the event of an employee’s arrest at the workplace. Weintraub Tobin attorneys Ryan Abernethy and John Slavik discuss...

In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Shauna Correia and Meagan Bainbridge discuss SB 261, a new law that strengthens enforcement of California wage judgments. Learn about the new public database for unpaid judgments, triple penalties for late payment, and mandatory attorney’s fees for enforcement. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel . Show Notes:...

California’s new AI regulations will take effect on October 1, 2025, impacting how employers can use automated tools in hiring, recruitment, and beyond. In this episode of California Employment News , Weintraub attorneys Meagan Bainbridge and Shauna Correia break down what the rules mean, the risks of noncompliance, and the steps employers can take to stay compliant. Watch this episode on the Wein...

Another year, another minimum wage raise. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub attorneys Chris Horsley and Nikki Mahmoudi expand on updates to state and local wage increases and cover key cities like Santa Monica, City and County of Los Angeles. Watch this episode on YouTube . Other Relevant Videos: CA Local Minimum Wage Updates California Wage Compliance – Avoiding Legal Pitfa...

In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub attorneys Ryan Abernethy and Talia Delanoy revisit the complexities of the regular rate of pay—a frequent issue in wage and hour class actions. From bonuses and shift differentials to common employer mistakes, they break down what must (and must not) be included in calculations, and the costly risks of getting it wrong. Watch this episode on...

Whether setting pay for a new hire or adjusting compensation for a current employee, employers must navigate a range of legal considerations. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub employment attorneys Meagan Bainbridge and Nikki Mahmoudi share key reminders to help employers stay compliant with California’s complex wage and hour laws. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube...

Some California cities have raised their local minimum wage above the state rate of $16.50. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Nikki Mahmoudi and Chris Horsley cover key updates in cities like San Francisco, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Alameda. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel . Show Notes: Nikki: Hi, everyone. Thank you for joining us for thi...

In this episode of  California Employment News ,  Lizbeth (Beth) West  and  Meagan Bainbridge  present part four of the Workplace Investigation Series, discussing best practices for effectively memorializing the investigation in a report. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel. You can also watch part one , part two , or part three of this series.