The California Department of Industrial Relations has announced an increase to the pay rates that computer software employees and physicians must receive in order to be exempt from overtime. Additionally, the minimum salary required for the administrative, professional, and executive overtime exemptions will also increase. These new rates take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

California has enacted legislation that expressly prohibits an employer from requesting information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. The legislation (Senate Bill 700) takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

California has enacted Assembly Bill 1228 (AB 1228), which increases the minimum wage of fast food restaurant workers working at a national fast food chain establishment.

California has enacted legislation that will expand the amount of paid sick leave to which employees are entitled, extends some protections to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement and partially pre-empts local paid sick leave laws.  The legislation (Senate Bill 616) takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has announced that employers may request an extension to a new requirement to submit a separate pay data report on workers hired through labor contractors. The request must be submitted by May 10, 2023.

The City of Los Angeles has enacted an ordinance that will require large employers in the retail sector to follow certain scheduling practices. The ordinance takes effect April 1, 2023.

Berkeley, CA has enacted an ordinance that will require employers in certain industries to follow specific scheduling practices beginning Jan. 1, 2024.