Courtesy of Alexis Gabrielson at Cook Brown LLP See more on Cook Brown LLP website here. February 17th, 2026 The 2025 federal budget law “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) created two temporary federal income tax deductions that rely on employer information...
The refundable California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) and other state and federal antipoverty credits are available to low-income working individuals who have either: Earned wage income subject to California withholding. Have net earnings from...
By Sarah Peterson, PHRca, SHRM-SCP No employer would argue that interviewing is a critical step in the hiring process and the consequences of hiring the wrong person can have a lasting and costly impact. It’s for this reason that many employers ask questions in...
By Kate Smith, SHRM-CP The next phase of the Workplace – Know Your Rights Act is quickly approaching. By March 30, 2026, employers must provide employees with the opportunity to designate an emergency contact. Employers should begin collecting these Emergency...
By Laurie Nooren, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-CP For years, California courts permitted employers to round employee time entries to the nearest quarter hour. This practice originated in an era when employers did not have access to technology capable of easily and precisely...
Ashley Holsey, SPHR, PHR If you employ people in California, it’s that time of year again. Pay Data Reporting is the state’s annual homework assignment—required, important, and surprisingly manageable if you start preparing early. Why It Matters Under SB 464,...
By Kate Smith, SHRM-CP Supervisors/managers often struggle to determine whether an employee issue should be addressed through coaching/counseling or formal disciplinary action. Making the wrong call or escalating the process too quickly can create risk and...
By Sarah Peterson, SHRM-SCP, PHRca With the new year came yet another new notice requirement for California employers. The Workplace Know Your Rights Act Notice purpose is to provide employees with information on the rights and protections afforded to them as...
By Laurie Nooren, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-CP A recent California Court of Appeals decision in Hirdman v. Charter Communications, LLC brought clarity—and a win—for employers on how to calculate California Paid Sick Leave (PSL) for outside sales employees. This decision...
