Blog
WHAT’S NEW IN 2025
END OF AN ERA
Key COVID Regulations Lifted
As of February 3, 2025, California employers no longer have to maintain a COVID-19 model written program or provide written notice to close contacts and COVID cases.
WHAT’S NEW IN 2025
New California Physicians and Surgeons Overtime Exemption Rates
California Labor Code section 515.6 exempts certain licensed physicians and surgeons from overtime compensation upon receipt of specified minimum hourly compensation.
California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has announced its rate increases for this minimum, effective January 1, 2025, to $103.75, up from $101.22, reflecting the 2.5% increase in the California Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 93
NOT SO SAFEWAY?
Cal/OSHA Cites Supermart for Serious Hazardous Conditions in Warehouse
When Cal/OSHA inspected Safeway’s large warehouse in Tracy, CA, it found “significant safety violations” meriting $182,000 in penalties.
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 92
PREGNANT WORKER DISCRIMINATION
Company Pays Big for Brushing Off Accommodations
Castle Hills Master Association Inc. (Castle Hill), the Texas employer of a disabled pregnant worker, failed to accommodate her time-off request for doctor-prescribed bed rest because she was ineligible for Family and Medical Leave or short-term state disability benefits. Instead, the property management company terminated her.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed court charges against Castle Hill for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The parties settled the case. Castle Hill is paying the pregnant worker $55,000 and will take measures to ensure employment opportunities for disabled individuals. It will also create protocols for handling reasonable accommodations for disabilities and train all employees on the protocols and ADA.
WHAT’S NEW IN 2025
Computer Software Employee Overtime Exemption Rates
California Labor Code section 515.5 exempts certain computer software professionals from overtime compensation upon receipt of specified minimum compensation.
SWEAT THE DETAILS
Friendly Workplace Practices Audits Before PAGA Comes Calling
“Knowledge is power” is cliché, but true.
California heads the nation in regulating employee relations. While workplace laws usually arise to police the few employers crossing the line into worker exploitation, they subject the vast bulk of well-intentioned businesses to thousands of technical rules requiring close attention.
WHAT’S NEW IN 2025
WHISTLEBLOW ON SHOW
Labor Commissioner Issues Sample Rights and Responsibilities Poster
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 91
IN THE HOT SEAT
Employer Pays Big for Ignoring Extreme Conditions
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has penalized Van Nuys’ Parkwood Landscape Maintenance $276,425 for deliberately and knowingly violating state heat illness prevention regulations.
AIR SCARE
Cal/OSHA Wildfire Smoke Alert Worker Protection Los Angeles County and Beyond
We provide this 1/9/25 Cal/OSHA public notice:
Advisory – Release Number: 2025-06
January 9, 2025
Wildfire Smoke Alert: Cal/OSHA urges employers to protect workers from unhealthy air in Los Angeles County.
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 90
MAUL WAKE-UP CALL
Cal/OSHA Fines LA Animal Shelter For Overcrowding, Staff Injuries
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has penalized…