The new rule, which took effect on July 1, 2024, requires that any salaried workers who earn less than $43,888 (or $844 per week) are entitled to overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 40 hours per week. Under the new rule, the threshold will increase for the first time on January 1, 2025 and will be scheduled to increase every three years thereafter. On January 1, 2025, any salaried employers who earn less than $58,656 a year (or $1,128 per week) will be entitled to overtime pay. In creating a higher threshold, the Department of Labor estimates that approximately $4 Million previously exempt workers will be eligible for overtime pay.
Read MoreCalifornia employers, beware! On October 4, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 616 into law which requires employers to increase the number of mandatory paid sick days from 3 to 5 days. This new law will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
Read MoreCalifornia employers may be forced to pay unemployment benefits to employees who are still employed but refuse to work because they are on strike. The California legislature is considering Senate Bill 799, which can have negative repercussions for various industries. First, it will give organized labor, an already powerful force in politics today, even more leverage and power. Second, it may cause more jobs to be left unfilled as many employees will be incentivized to strike. After all, they get paid during a strike, and they will (presumably) get paid MORE after a strike. Worst of all, the employers and employees who are not participating in the strikes are ultimately being forced to participate by paying increased taxes or receiving less in benefits.
Read MoreWith the rise of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, COVID-19 has entered the discussion nationally and locally. Many schools, businesses, and sports establishments are again mandating that students, employees, and customers wear masks. Employers can breathe a sigh of relief because California’s highest court has recently held that employers cannot be held liable for “take home COVID” where an employee contracts COVID at work and passes it on to a household member.
Read MoreCOVID-19 is in the news again, and many businesses and schools are bringing back the mask requirements. Employers may be interested to know that the city council in Huntington Beach, California votes to ban mask and COVID-19 vaccination mandates in the city. With such a staunch stand against COVID restrictions, local employers may be hard pressed to require masks and proof of vaccination.
Read MoreEmployers can be held liable for sexual harassment based on the type of music that is played in the workplace for all to hear. Sexual harassment is now so broadly defined that the music does not need to target any one person and can be simultaneously offensive to both men and women. Employers should regulate the type of music employees may be allowed to play in the workplace – or limit the type of music to a predetermined list of songs or music channel.
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