Industry News
Navigating California Labor Laws: Key Compliance Challenges for Contractors
Jason Fischbein of Fisher Phillips sits down with Matt Gorham to discuss some of the primary labor and employment law issues currently impacting contractors, especially those within the HVAC and Plumbing industries.
New AI Regulations for California Employers
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On October 1, 2025 California employers with five or more employees will be required to follow new Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulations. The amended regulations address the use of automated-decision systems (ADSs) in employee or prospective-hire evaluations, applying existing antidiscrimination laws to new AI technologies.
Staying Compliant: Updating Your Human Resources Policies
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In today’s rapidly changing legal landscape, it is more important than ever to ensure your company’s policies and procedures are kept up-to-date. Updating your employee handbook is a vital step in ensuring employees are aware of new policies and understand what is expected of them.
4 Steps to Ensure I-9 Compliance and Prepare for an Audit
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Trump administration has placed a strong emphasis on immigration policy. Significant changes to employment-based immigration and work authorization are anticipated to take effect within the next four years. For employers, this means I-9 compliance should be a top priority in order to avoid costly fines.
SB 428: Expanding California’s Workplace Violence Restraining Order Law to Protect Against Harassment
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A new California law expands the state’s protections around workplace violence restraining orders. Beginning January 1, 2025, employers were given the right to seek a temporary restraining order on behalf of an employee who has suffered harassment in the workplace. California State Senate Bill 428 (SB 428) was authored by Senator Catherine Blakespear and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Updates to California Sick Pay and PTO in 2025
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Beginning on January 1, 2025, changes to California paid sick leave and paid family leave took effect in California. To ensure your business is in compliance with these new requirements, update your paid sick leave policy to include these new uses. Employers should also update family leave policies to remove any requirement that employees must use accrued vacation time before receiving PFL benefits on or after January 1.
Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards End, Employers Still Required to Document COVID-19 Cases
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
February 3, 2025 marked the end of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards. However, while California employers are no longer required to follow any regulatory requirements, COVID-19 reporting and recordkeeping requirements (Title 8 Subsection 3205(j)) remain effect until February 3, 2026.
New California Employment Laws for 2025
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Starting January 1, 2025, a number of new laws will be on the books for employers in California. Here’s a look at two of the changes business owners need to be aware of at the start of the new year.