Employment Law Update 2026: What California Employers Need to Know

(NOTE: This event will be offered both in-person and online. Please select the ticket type that reflects how you will attend.)

As 2026 begins, new employment laws and regulations are set to take effect that will significantly impact the workplace. Business owners and human resources professionals must stay ahead of these changes to ensure compliance, reduce risk, and foster positive employee relations.

This program will provide a practical overview of the most important legal updates for 2026, including wage and hour developments, workplace safety requirements, employee leave laws, and emerging trends in workplace policies. Attendees will learn how these changes affect their organizations and what proactive steps they can take to adapt their policies, procedures, and practices.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and understand the key federal and state employment law changes taking effect in 2026 that impact workplace policies and practices.
2. Assess compliance risks related to wage and hour laws, employee leave, workplace safety, and emerging employment trends.
3. Develop and update HR policies and employee handbooks to align with the new legal requirements.
4. Implement practical compliance strategies to reduce exposure to employment-related claims and litigation.
5. Effectively communicate legal updates to management and employees to ensure organizational-wide understanding and compliance.
6. Apply proactive HR practices to foster a fair, legally compliant, and positive workplace culture in light of 2026 changes.

Ryan Haws EmployLaw Group LLP	Laura Withrow Withrow Employment Law, P.C.

Ryan - Ryan has helped California businesses confidently navigate workplace compliance and employee issues for over fifteen years, first as a litigator, now as a trusted advisor. After years in the litigation trenches, he shifted his focus to preventing legal disputes before they escalate. Throughout his career, he's partnered with hundreds of organizations from startups to established enterprises, crafting clear policies, minimizing risk, and resolving complex employment issues efficiently.

As a consultant first and former litigator second, Ryan approaches client relationships with strategy and a clear understanding of the legal landscape. He stays current on local ordinances, California and federal law, and pending bills, so he can offer proactive, forward-looking advice. Ryan takes the time to understand your business culture and operations, ensuring his recommendations also align with your business goals. Clients always know where things stand and what’s coming next. Ryan keeps the law clear, the communication honest, and the focus on actional next steps.

Laura - Laura has been one of the top-rated employment law attorneys in California for the past several years and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for the past eight years. Her practice encompasses all aspects of employment law, including litigation defense, representation of employers in hearings before administrative agencies, management training, and counseling employers on compliance issues relating to employment agreements, commission plans, hiring, firings and other personnel matters.

Laura has 28 years of litigation experience and provides her clients with the peace of mind to know that their employment law issues will be resolved in a cost-effective and expedient manner.

Additional Event Details

7:20 AM Registration & Networking

7:30 - 11:00 AM Program and Q&A

Cancellation & Credit Policy:

Please note that all program registrations are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future program of equal or lesser value, provided that the request is submitted prior to the scheduled event date. Credit requests made after the program date will not be honored. 

This event is pending for 3.25 credit hours for both HRCI & SHRM credits.