California Employee Leave Laws (Frequently Asked Questions) – California employers are obligated to comply with many state laws providing employee leave in a variety of situations. These answers to frequently asked questions address common issues raised by the state’s major leave compliance mandates.
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Ensuring employees receive proper meal periods and rest breaks is a foundational component of workplace compliance and employee well-being. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require employers to provide meal periods and rest breaks for their employees. However, if an employer chooses to provide meal periods or rest breaks, the employer must comply with the FLSA’s meal periods and rest breaks requirements. As a general rule, rest breaks—breaks of five to 20 minutes—are considered hours worked, but bona fide meal breaks—breaks of 30 minutes or longer—are not covered under the FLSA.
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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and requires reasonable accommodations. Signed into law in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush, the ADA applies to companies with 15 or more employees. We recently released the following 2 articles related to updated guidance and best practices related to the ADA:
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As organizations plan their compensation strategies each year, many are leaning toward a “peanut butter” approach to pay—spreading standardized annual wage increases evenly across employee groups. These modest, predictable adjustments have become more common as employers navigate economic uncertainty, tighter budgets, and a heightened focus on internal pay equity. While some years bring significant market- or performance-based pay adjustments, many employers have recently opted for more traditional, standardized raises, often citing economic uncertainty, tighter budgets, and the need for internal pay equity.
Continue readingCalifornia Family Care and Medical Leave Comparison Chart – California employers must comply with two comprehensive family and medical leave laws: the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the state California Family Rights Act (CFRA). This chart compares key features of the two laws. Note that additional state and local laws require employee leave for other purposes, such as the employee’s illness, bereavement, and pregnancy disability.
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Burnout has become a defining challenge in today’s workplace. Employees across industries report feeling exhausted, disconnected, and undervalued. These conditions not only harm individual well-being but also impact organizational performance. While burnout is multifaceted, fostering a sense of purpose at work can be the key to overcoming it.
Continue readingOn Feb. 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule that would rescind the department’s 2024 final independent contractor rule and replace it with an analysis for employee classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) similar to the one adopted by the DOL in 2021. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 27, 2026.
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Understanding key workplace leave and accommodation laws is essential for both employers and employees. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons, while the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
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Question: Are companies required to offer COBRA to all employees who leave the organization?
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