In this episode of California Employment News, 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.Continue Reading California Employment News: AB 858 Recall Rights and Extended Reinstatement Protections
California Employment News: Equal Pay Enforcement and Pay Data Reporting Updates
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.Continue Reading California Employment News: Equal Pay Enforcement and Pay Data Reporting Updates
Employers Beware: California Has Expanded the List of Unlawful Contracts with Employees
On October 13, 2025 Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (“AB”) 692 which is another law allegedly aimed at preventing contracts deemed to be a restraint on trade. Employers should be aware of the new law as it could significantly impact their ability to enter into, and/or enforce, certain contracts with employees for the repayment of a debt.Continue Reading Employers Beware: California Has Expanded the List of Unlawful Contracts with Employees
California Employment News: Understanding the Workplace Know Your Rights Act
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 the key provisions of the new law, including the penalties for violations.Continue Reading California Employment News: Understanding the Workplace Know Your Rights Act
New Cal-WARN Act Notice Requirements
California recently passed Senate Bill 617 which requires additional information to be provided in Cal-WARN Act notices issued on or after January 1, 2026.
As a brief background, there are federal and state laws which discuss the issue of notice owed to employees before large layoffs. The Federal law is known as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification or “WARN” Act. California’s version of the WARN act (AB 2957, the “Cal-WARN Act”) contains additional provisions employers must be aware of. Cal-WARN Act notices are required if a “covered” establishment suffers a “mass layoff” or 50 or more employees, a “termination” of substantial operation, or a “relocation” to a different location 100 or more miles away. (Cal. Labor Code §§1400.5(d)-(f).) The notices must be sent to affected employees, the state Employment Development Department (“EDD”), and other local agencies. See our prior articles addressing these requirements in more detail here, as well as the EDD’s summary of the laws here.Continue Reading New Cal-WARN Act Notice Requirements