The minimum wage in California and in many local jurisdictions in the state will increase on January 1, 2022.

West Hollywood, California has enacted an ordinance that establishes a local minimum wage. The ordinance takes effect on January 1, 2022 and applies to any employee who works at least two hours per week in West Hollywood.

As a reminder, on Sept. 17, 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 1159, concerning workers’ compensation, the coronavirus (COVID-19) and critical workers. This new law added sections (§3212.86-3212.88) of the CA Labor Code, codifying the Executive Order signed by Gov. Newsom on May 6, 2020, and expanding the “rebuttable presumption of compensability ” for certain employees who test positive for COVID-19.

California has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 639) that will phase out a provision that allows employers to pay a subminimum wage to employees with disabilities.

California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits harassment and discrimination because of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression and certain other characteristics. The discrimination provisions cover employers with five or more employees, but the harassment provisions cover all employers.

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 January 1, 2022.

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has revised emergency rules related to protecting workers from COVID-19. The revisions are effective immediately.

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has revised emergency rules related to protecting workers from COVID-19. The revisions are effective immediately.

Fully vaccinated employees in California are generally no longer required to be excluded from the workplace if they have had COVID-19 exposure as long as they are asymptomatic, according to updated guidance from the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).

Santa Clara County (CA) has issued an order that requires employers to determine the vaccination status of all employees and contractors and to take certain other safety measures. The order took effect May 19, 2021 and supersedes the October 5, 2020 Risk Reduction Order of the Health Officer.