Human Resources / Health and Safety

Coming Soon from Cal/OSHA Board: Wildfire Smoke Protection Emergency Rule

Update, July 30, 2019 03:00 p.m.: The California Department of Industrial Relations today announced that the Office of Administrative Law approved the Protection from...

Job Killer Bill Grants Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers

A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed job killer bill that would charge employers to provide unemployment insurance (UI) compensation to striking employees during labor disputes...

Ninth Circuit Decides to Not Go Back to the Future, Depublishes Vasquez Decision

The Dynamex saga is back for a sequel. In a brief yet temporary win for employers, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals depublished its...

CalChamber Expands Legal Affairs Team with Additional Employment Law Experts

In the past year, the California Chamber of Commerce has added three new employment law experts to its legal affairs team to help explain...
The Workplace Podcast

Vaccination Controversy Highlights Wellness Issues in the Workplace

While employers cannot require their employees to get vaccinated, there are many proactive steps they can take to ensure wellness and safety in the...

Keep Your Workplace Running Smoothly During Summer Vacations

Hotter temperatures and no school for the kids means many employees are using up their vacation time. In fact, nearly six in 10 workers...

Bill Increasing Health Care Costs Advances in Senate; Business Leaders Express Concerns

A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that will further increase health care-related expenses for California businesses passed the Senate Health Committee last Wednesday. AB 731...
The Workplace Podcast

What Not to Wear – To Work

It’s summertime in California and that means flip flops, shorts, and tank tops. Unfortunately, when the weather heats up, employees can be tempted to...

Smoke, Fire, and New Legislation Approaching

In California, where there’s smoke, there may be a wildfire – and new legislative action. Starting with smoke: on Thursday June 27th, the Cal/OSHA’s Standards...

Workers Are Changing. California Legislature Must Face That Reality

Labor protections are meant to address certain situations where there is an imbalance in control between the employer and employee. But when the workers...
The Workplace Podcast

New Podcast: Stalled and Moving Employment Law Proposals in the Current Legislative Cycle

A number of bills that would have hindered employers in the state have been stopped for the year, but a few others remain. In...

CalSavers Retirement Savings Program Registration to Begin July 1

In 2016, the California Legislature passed a bill that laid the foundation for a state-run retirement plan, and in 2018, the final governing regulations were adopted....
The Workplace Podcast

Regulations May Require Employers to Monitor Air Quality/Provide Respirators

New regulations for safety in the workplace are in motion as Cal/OSHA looks to protect employees from detrimental effects of working near or around...

For Uber and Lyft Drivers, Reclassification Means Less Flexibility

Last week, an op-ed appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle discussing the fact that executives from Uber and Lyft have come together to address...
The Workplace Podcast

CalChamber Podcast Focuses on Meals and Breaks at the Office

Although California’s meal and rest break rules are intended to give hourly employees time to take breaks during their shifts, problems can arise if...

Remember to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Illness

In preparation for this week's projected high heat temperatures throughout inland areas of California, the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) is reminding employers...
The Workplace Podcast

CalChamber Podcast Discusses Employee Misclassification

There are so many different types of workers: hourly employees, managers, supervisors, exempt employees, and independent contractors. But how do you classify each one...

CalChamber #RespectWorks Campaign Continues to Build Support for Harassment-Free Workplaces

A new HR tip posted online this week as part of the CalChamber #RespectWorks campaign underscores the importance of preventing harassment in the workplace. The...
California State Capitol Dome

California Assembly Passes Gig Work Bill, Limiting Contractor Status

The Assembly on Wednesday passed “gig work” legislation that could send seismic changes across California’s employment landscape if passed by the Senate and signed...
The Workplace Podcast

New CalChamber Podcast Discusses “Ghosting” in the Workplace

As employers are finding it harder and harder to fill positions, a new problem that is arising is job abandonment and applicants disappearing in...