California Employment Law with Ward Heinrichs

San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs has been sharing California employment law updates on Big Blend Radio since 2014. For this special "Getting to Know You" episode, he sets the fine print aside for a fun, unscripted Q&A with host Lisa D. Smith. It's part of a series reconnecting with the Big Blend Radio family as Big Blend moves into its new home, the Big Blend Media House. Ward reve...

When does a workplace issue need a manager's coaching — and when does it need a lawyer?  On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs sits down with Bernadette Jones, CEO and co-founder of Visionova HR, to map out where coaching ends and legal exposure begins — outdated handbooks, shadow AI in the workplace, the "keys to the...

Recent federal changes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) guidance are reshaping how employers approach hiring, promotions, and workplace policies—and artificial intelligence (AI) is adding another layer of legal complexity. In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explains the Equal Employment Opportunity Commiss...

Can independent contractors legally earn commissions in California? The answer is more complicated than you might think. In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explores the intersection of California commission laws and independent contractor classification under AB5. The discussion examines who can legally receive com...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explains how California commission laws impact both employers and employees, including the legal differences between inside and outside sales roles, minimum wage protections, overtime exemptions, independent contractor concerns, and why written commission agreements are essential....

Managing employees across state lines comes with complex legal challenges — and getting it wrong can be costly. In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explains how multi-state employment laws impact wages, overtime, and compliance for businesses operating across borders. From remote work arrangements to industries like...

Hiring employees in California is becoming more complex in 2026, with new laws impacting everything from job postings to AI-driven hiring tools. In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down what employers need to know about pay transparency requirements, AI discrimination risks in hiring, and new rules governing...

California’s healthcare minimum wage landscape is changing in 2026 — and employers need to be ready. In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “California Employment Law” Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down California’s new minimum wage requirements for healthcare workers, explaining who is covered, key compliance deadlines, and what healthcare employers, staffing agencies...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down the complexities of joint employment relationships under California law.  The discussion explores how employees can legally have more than one employer at the same time, particularly in franchise and staffing agency arrangements. Ward explains how joint employer liability can ari...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs, the conversation continues on the new and evolving California employment laws for 2026.  This episode takes a deeper dive into Prop 22 and gig worker classification, new wage posting requirements, tip pooling rules, wage judgments, repayment clauses in employment contracts, and addition...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s California Employment Law Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down the upcoming changes to California’s minimum wage laws, effective January 2026.  The discussion covers minimum wage increases across sectors, challenges for small businesses competing with larger employers, and significant wage hikes in the healthcare industry. Ward also explains c...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs discusses the growing impact of artificial intelligence in employment practices and hiring decisions. The conversation explores how AI can both reflect and amplify existing biases and racism, the ethical challenges of developing fair algorithms, and the importance of transparency and account...

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s California Employment Law Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs is joined by Christina Liao Tong from The Law Offices of Jane Oak. Together, they unpack the growing complexities of immigration law in California amidst increased ICE enforcement. The conversation addresses employer compliance with I-9 forms, the risks of paying workers under the table, and t...

In Part 2 of this Big Blend Radio California Employment Law Podcast series covering Minimum Wage Laws, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs explores the latest wage increases impacting healthcare and hospitality workers in California. With living costs on the rise and pandemic aftershocks still rippling through the workforce, these new minimum wage mandates are creating both opportunities and legal c...

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s California Employment Law Podcast with attorney Ward Heinrichs, he unpacks key updates in California’s minimum wage laws. From the FAST Recovery Act and increased wages for healthcare workers to proposed changes affecting hospitality workers in San Diego, this episode provides a timely midyear reminder for both employers and employees to stay informed. 📖 Read...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law Podcast, featuring San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs, observes National Administrative Professionals Day and Administrative Professionals Week by diving into a crucial workplace topic: Are You an Administratively Exempt Employee? Exempt employees are typically those who receive a minimum required salary and perform specific duties as defi...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs focuses on Federal and California Employment Laws that Protect Women in the Workplace. Check out Ward's article that gives an overview of some of the laws and acts such as the Equal Pay Act. Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, Patient Protection & Affordab...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs focuses on DEI after Trump's DEI executive orders.  Check out Ward's article that delves into the history of DEI and points out some of the fine print, and why employers should seek legal advice when it comes to creating a DEI policy: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/dei-after-trumps-dei-e...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs focuses on California Workplace Rights During Disasters including Labor Code §1139 and Labor Code § 230.8. Check out Ward's about the laws and regulations, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/california-workplace-rights-during-disasters/   Based in San Diego, California, Ward represents...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs focuses on the new California Employment Laws for 2025. Check out Ward's list of new laws and regulations, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/new-california-employment-laws-for-2025/   New laws covered in the podcast and article include: - Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) - Reproduc...

From sexual harassment and intoxication to wage and hur liability, this episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs focuses on employment issues related to holiday parties and celebrations.  Check out Ward's list of things employers may want to consider to help control liability and to keep the holiday season merry, here: https://blendradio...

From Age Discrimination in Employment Act to the Family and Medical Leave Act, this episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs deciphers the "legalese" of some of the acts that pertain to employment law. Check out the list of acts and their meanings, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/legalese-whats-with-this-act/   Based in San Die...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs covers California's new Workplace Violence Prevention Act and why employers need to be aware of it, and most importantly put a plan in place. Based in San Diego, California, Ward represents both employers and employees in almost all areas of labor law. More: https://bestemploymentattorneysand...

From organ donor leave to voting leave, this episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs focuses California's various laws regarding Workplace Leave of Absence. Read his article about it here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/california-workplace-leaves-of-absence/   Based in San Diego, California, Ward represents both employers and empl...

This episode of Big Blend Radio's California Employment Law podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs focuses on paid vacation time and minimum wage. Read his article outlining the laws: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/summer-fun-and-minimum-wage/   Based in San Diego, California, Ward represents both employers and employees in almost all areas of labor law. More: https://bestemploymentat...