Managers often are not trained in specific leadership skills, so they tend to default to whatever management style they have observed. Coach-style leadership is a style of leadership that develops strong relationships and empowers people to be accountable and...
An Ounce of Prevention: The Business Case for an HR Practice Review
By Sarah Peterson, PHRca, SHRM-SCP “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” — Benjamin Franklin Few things create more concern for California employers than receiving notice that a lawsuit or claim has been filed against them. It is no surprise that many...
Respect in the Workplace: Small Choices, Big Impact
By Ashley Holsey, SPHR, PHR Creating a respectful workplace is more than a legal requirement; it's a critical component of a healthy, productive, and inclusive work environment. California employers are required to provide harassment prevention training, but the...
Dust Off That Workplace Violence Prevention Plan… It’s Annual Review Time!
By Kate Smith, SHRM-CP, PHRca When California's Workplace Violence Prevention requirements took effect on July 1, 2024, employers across the state were required to implement a customized Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (“WVPP”), train employees on the Plan,...
Poster Updated – Cal OSHA publishes a new Workplace Safety poster
By Stacey Sommerhauser, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-SCP California employers should replace their current Cal/OSHA “Safety and Health Protection on the Job” poster with the updated version, as Cal/OSHA revised the notice’s contact information in April. The remainder of the...
Reminder!!! – Employees Should Update Their Emergency Contacts
By Stacey Sommerhauser, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-SCP If the March 30, 2026, deadline for distributing Emergency Contact Designation forms came and went a little faster than expected, you are certainly not alone. As a reminder, California employers are required to provide...
Cracking the Code on California Overtime Rules
By Kate Smith, SHRM-CP In California, overtime requirements for non-exempt employees are governed by state law and are calculated based on an employer’s established workday and workweek. Employers should clearly define their workday and workweek in a manner that...
Regular Rate, Irregular Headaches: Navigating the RRP Rules
By Ashley Holsey, SPHR, PHR If you’ve ever heard the phrase “regular rate of pay” and immediately grimaced, you’re not alone. There’s nothing “regular” about it, unless by regular you mean regularly confusing, regularly debated, and regularly avoided (please don’t...
Can We Talk? Why 1:1 Manager-Employee Conversations Matter More Than Ever
By Sarah Peterson, PHRca, SHRM-SCP Conversations between managers and employees are one of the most influential—and often overlooked—factors when dealing with mental health in the workplace. Managers are not expected to be therapists. But they do set the tone for...