January 14, 2026 Employment Law Update

California employers can expect a full slate of new employment laws in the New Year. Some of these changes require immediate action, such as policy revision and new notices, and all require an employer’s full attention.

Our annual in-person update will cover these new laws, important changes at state and federal agencies, and other developments employers should watch in 2026. And as always, there will be plenty of time for questions. Some covered topics include:

* Changes to the California Equal Pay Act and pay data reporting

* A dramatic new “Workplace Know Your Rights Act” notice to every employee

* State and local minimum wage increases

* New Paid Sick Leave, Victims’ Leave and Paid Family Leave rules

* New collection authority for employee tips and gratuities

* Limits on employment contract terms and employee repayment requirements

* Expanded personnel file and employment training record requirements

* Increased public works pay data disclosure

* State efforts to regulate federally governed bargaining relationships

* Other agency and court developments affecting employers.

Click here to register for the in-person event.

The seminar will be on January 14, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Napa. All proceeds benefit the Napa Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees may register via the Napa Chamber of Commerce's seminar page by clicking here or by calling (707) 226-7455. Attendance is $99.00 (Chamber members) and $129.00 (non-members).

The update presentation can be viewed in .pdf form by clicking here.

2025 Employment Law Update

We are now presenting our 2025 employment law updates covering new laws from the past year as well as other recent developments. Some topics include:

• Minimum Wage Increases 

• Updated Workplace Postings

• Expanded Harassment/Discrimination Laws

• Family Leave Requirements

• Time Off and Crime Victim Leave

• Drivers License Requirements

• Independent Contractor Requirements

• Social Compliance Audits

• Workplace Violence Prevention

• Captive Audience Meetings

• Heat Illness Regulations

• PAGA Update

• Developments in Workplace Discrimination and Harassment

• Recent court cases affecting employers

  
  

View a copy of the 2025 update via this link.

View a copy of the presentation handout notes format via this link.

More Employment Laws Affecting Lawyers (and their clients, too)

This year has seen myriad changes in state and federal employment affecting all employers - and even the lawyers who represent them. This new presentation to the Napa County Bar Association contains valuable advice for all businesses, showing how similar the legal industry is to all other types of workplaces.

Our September 26 presentation covers many of these changes, such as:

• Minimum Wage Changes

• Indoor Heat Regulations

• Workplace Violence Prevention

• Ergonomic Safety

• Paid Sick Leave Increase

• New-Hire Notices

• Non-Compete Agreements

• Retaliation

A copy of the presentation can be viewed (and shared) by clicking here.