Blog

Despite the economic uncertainty in the U.S. right now, organizations are still pushing forward with including variable pay as part of their overall compensation strategy and compensation programs to retain top talent. Variable pay is compensation awarded to employees, in addition to their base pay. Generally, variable pay plans (bonuses) are based on performance measures.   

Ignorance is bliss. The popular proverb shares the notion that not knowing something is often more comfortable than knowing it. But when it comes to running a business, not knowing something doesn’t protect you from liability. Perhaps Knowledge is Power should be the saying business owners follow.

On April 2, 2025 U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced some minor changes to Form I-9 and E-Verify. The previous update to the I-9 form was released in August 2023 and marked a drastic departure from previous versions. The new changes are minor in comparison, but still important to pay attention to.

Welcome to Compliance Couch from the California Employers Association, where we make California HR simple! In this episode, we are joined by Eli Nuñez, Human Resources Director, to learn the Top 3 Tips for Effective Hiring. Careful planning of your company's recruiting and hiring strategy will help you stay compliant with state & federal laws, attract qualified candidates, and implement comprehensive onboarding systems. Employee retention starts with smart hiring!

Last Friday, I had the day off and went out to lunch with my hubby.  At the restaurant, I couldn’t help but notice that everyone was gathered at the bar. At lunchtime? Then I saw what all the fuss was about. People were gathered around the TVs to watch the March Madness.

In February 2025, the Ninth Circuit revived the Title VII discrimination claims of an Asian woman who was demoted from her job as Postmaster and replaced by a white man. The Court’s decision in Lui v. DeJoy clarifies the standard for employees to make an initial discrimination case and serves as a cautionary tale for employers about the importance of thorough and impartial investigations.

Remember “Rosie the Robot” from The Jetsons? The popular show was set in 2062, with a plethora of futuristic technology from flying cars to helpful robots like Rosie. However, there is a downside to technological advancement, particularly when it is misused, even inadvertently.

Welcome to Compliance Couch from the California Employers Association, where we make California HR simple! In this series premiere, we are joined by Astrid Servin, Human Resources Director, to learn the Top 3 Tips for Employee Handbooks. Keeping your employee handbook up to date can help you stay compliant with California & Federal labor laws, manage team expectations, and share more about your business mission & benefits.

President Trump issued twenty-seven Executive Orders (“EO”s) in the first two days of his administration. Three of them in particular have left employers concerned and confused about the potential impact on their Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Equal Employment Opportunity policies. Employers in California, where state anti-discrimination laws provide protections broader than existing federal laws, face particular challenges piecing it all together.

COVID-19 is not gone, but most of Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Non-Emergency Regulations for employers end on February 3, 2025. However, some record-keeping obligations will remain.

It's time for California employers to post their 2024 annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses via Form 300A in a visible and easily accessible area at each worksite. Employers must complete and post this form from February 1 - April 30 each year, even if no incidents occur.

From the first day of Donald Trump’s candidacy for reelection, cracking down on immigration was a focal point of his campaign. Under his previous administration, the president vowed to build a wall to keep out undocumented immigrants. Now in his second term, he has signed executive orders aimed at implementing an aggressive immigration enforcement agenda including mass deportations. Employers in California and other sanctuary states are likely to see an uptick in immigration enforcement. 

Project deadlines, work responsibilities, and commitments are all part of our daily jobs, but office romance can sometimes disrupt the focus needed to meet those expectations. Given how much time we spend at work, it’s no surprise that office romances happen. Knowing how to navigate these situations and being prepared when Cupid strikes can help prevent unnecessary heartaches and workplace challenges.

As the workplace continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for employers. According to Gallup, this past year, employees were feeling increasingly detached from their jobs, yet struggled to make the leap to a new employer due to the cooling job market and inflation.

In California, those employers in the Health Care Industry and the Fast Food Industry will need to post an additional Minimum Wage Poster this year, in addition to your 2025 State/Federal employment law poster.   

Our hearts are with the communities facing devastating wildfires and power outages. We would also like to take a moment to express our gratitude to the courageous men and women tirelessly fighting fires across California. We have opened our phone lines to all California businesses during this time of crisis, at no charge. If your business has been impacted by the fires and you have HR questions, please call our HR Support Team at 800-399-5331. We're available Monday-Friday, 8 am–5 pm.

Our hearts and thoughts are with our Southern California residents currently facing devastating wildfires and power outages. While Summer and Fall in the Golden State historically bring high winds and fire danger, it feels unexpected to experience this devastation in the cold month of January. At CEA, we get many questions from employers about handling issues relating to ongoing wildfire threats. Many of our employers also want to know how to show empathy and compassion to employees affected by natural disasters.

You may be preparing to send W-2s out so your employees can file their taxes, but do you have the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Notice on your list? As of last year, employers are now required to notify employees regarding potential EITC eligibility.

Employers who use the IRS standard mileage to reimburse employees who drive their personal cars on company business rate will need to pay a little more in 2025.  The IRS announced on December 19 that the standard mileage rate for business use will increase to 70 cents per mile on January 1, 2025, up from 67 cents in 2024. 

For some companies, it’s a festive frenzy with employees running around like caffeinated elves. For others, it’s more of a “put on your fuzzy socks and hibernate” vibe. Many businesses shut down entirely, giving everyone time to recharge, but before you sign off for the holidays, let’s talk about some not-so-festive—but essential—considerations for holiday closures, especially in California.

Ah, the holiday season! A magical time of year when office coffee mysteriously becomes peppermint-flavored, Secret Santa becomes "Who Forgot to Sign Their Name?" and HR has to juggle the fine line between festive fun and California labor law compliance. But don’t worry—we’re here to help you navigate bonuses, gifts, and celebrations!

While some companies are busier than ever during the holiday season buzz, for others, December represents a “slowdown”—a time for rest, hibernation, and festivities. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind during holiday closures, particularly when it comes to exempt employee pay and vacation policies in California.

Each year, as new employment laws are enacted, updates to labor law posters are almost guaranteed and 2025 is no exception! California employers are aware that they must display the required federal and state posters in a prominent location at the worksite, and should distribute them to fully remote workers.

Governor Newsom signed dozens of bills, including protections for whistleblowers and employer speech rights, many of which will take effect on January 1, 2025. We’ve highlighted some of the big changes below so you can begin preparing for their implementation date. We also invite you to join our webinar on December 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. PST for more details.

With social media constantly showcasing examples of questionable behavior, and tensions lingering after the recent election, the push for civility is gaining momentum in workplaces across all industries.

The recent PAGA reform marks impactful changes to how wage and hour lawsuits will be litigated going forward. There are now new opportunities for employers to reduce their penalties if hit with a PAGA lawsuit, by demonstrating they took reasonable steps to comply with wage and hour laws.

As Election Day races toward us like a caffeinated squirrel, California employers must brush up on the state voting leave law. Yes, folks, your employees can take time off to vote, and they don’t even need to bring back a souvenir! Here’s the lowdown, straight from California Election Code section 14000:

In today’s competitive business environment, attracting and retaining top talent requires more than just offering a competitive salary. Companies need to have a clear, structured approach to compensation that aligns with their overall business goals. This is where the concepts of compensation philosophy and compensation strategy come into play. Establishing these two elements is essential for driving employee satisfaction, performance, and long-term business success.

A treat for those employees who will receive a minimum wage increase, but a spooky surprise for healthcare employers who had hoped this increase would wait until 2025. Senate Bill 525, enacted a year ago, is finally taking effect this month. On October 16, 2024, employees in the healthcare industry will have an increase in their minimum wage. All future increases will occur on July 1.