New California Minimum Wage Requirements Set to Take Effect July 1

If you’re employed in California, there is a good chance that you could see a pay increase in the coming days. A number of counties and cities within the state have opted to increase the minimum wage available to workers. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025. Proponents of the increases hope that higher wages will help workers keep up with the rising cost of living across the state. In recent years, Californians have faced steep increases in rent, utilities, groceries, and other basic necessities—making it

How to Negotiate a Better Employment Contract

Negotiating a better employment contract can be both exciting and challenging in a number of different ways. Whether you’re starting a new job, getting ready for a more senior role, or receiving an offer from another company, it is important to negotiate the best employment contract possible. Too many employees signed these contracts quickly without fully understanding all of the terms and conditions that they were agreeing to. This guide will help you take some practical measures to improve any employment contract that you may sign. Understand What’s Up For

Understanding Workers’ Compensation in California

Many workers are injured during the course of their job duties every year in California. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Private industry employers reported 363,900 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in California in 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that this resulted in a total recordable cases (TRC) incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers; the national rate was 2.4.” When a worker is injured during their job duties, they will typically be able to seek benefits

What to Know About Non-Disclosure Agreements

It is relatively common for businesses to rely on industry secrets in order to gain a competitive edge. One of the ways the businesses protect these secrets is through the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Whether you’re starting a new job or engaging in work with contractors, there’s a good chance that you will be asked to sign an NDA. This guide will help you better understand NDAs and how they are treated in California law. What are Non-Disclosure Agreements? A non-disclosure agreement is a legal contract that prohibits someone

How to File a Workplace Complaint

Every worker in California has the legal right to be treated with fairness and dignity. They must be able to perform their work duties free of harassment, discrimination, wage theft, and retaliation. Any worker that finds themselves mistreated in the course of their work duties should take certain actions in order to preserve their rights. In most situations, this will begin with filing a formal workplace complaint. Understanding When You May Need to File a Complaint Workers should be familiar with the various situations in which they may need to

What to Look for in Severance Agreements

A severance package is an agreement between an employer and an employee that details the terms related to an employee’s departure from the organization. Severance agreements are common in many different industries and professions, including corporate roles, the tech industry, media and entertainment, and labor unions. These agreements will typically include what severance pay and benefits employees will be entitled to. But severance agreements often cover much more than just payment terms after an employee’s departure. Here are a few things to look out for if you are looking to

How to Handle a Hostile Work Environment

Harassment in the workplace remains alarmingly common. According to Gallup, more than one in five people in the world say they’ve experienced some type of harassment in the workplace. This translates to roughly 750,000,000 workers across the world. Harassment is illegal under both California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and federal law. When harassment becomes a consistent part of employment, it may create a hostile work environment. Workers should take a number of measures in order to protect their rights if they’re facing a hostile work environment. Step 1:

Navigating California’s New Employment Laws in 2025

California continues to offer some of the most robust protections for workers across the United States. As you continue to navigate the workforce in 2025, there are several new laws that you should be aware of. Staying informed of what your legal rights are is critical to protecting your rights and being treated fairly. Additional Protections for Freelance Workers The Freelance Worker Protection Act (Senate Bill No. 988) took effect on January 1, 2025. The bill has several provisions affecting freelance workers. A freelance worker is defined as a person

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