Mid-Year Check In: What Has Changed Since January?

It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the year. For many employers, January starts with goals, plans, budgets, and priorities. By July, however, things often look a little different.

Know Your Rights Requirement

By February 1, employers were required to provide employees with an annual written notice regarding certain workplace rights. Now is a good opportunity to confirm the notice was distributed to existing employees and incorporated into your onboarding process for new hires.

Additionally, California employers must provide employees with the opportunity to designate an emergency contact and authorize notification if the employee is detained or arrested while performing job duties. Consider reviewing your onboarding forms and personnel records to ensure this information has been collected and maintained appropriately.

Local Minimum Wage Increases

Several California cities and counties are increasing their local minimum wage rates as of July 1:

• Berkeley: $19.61/hour

• Los Angeles (city): $18.42/hour

• Los Angeles County (unincorporated): $18.47/hour

• Malibu: $17.91/hour

• Pasadena: $18.57/hour

• San Francisco: $19.61/hour

• Santa Monica: $18.47/hour

• Fremont: $18.05/hour

• Milpitas: $18.50/hour

• Emeryville: $20.34/hour

Mid-Year Compliance Check-Up

This is a good time to evaluate if your practices still reflect your business operations.

Consider reviewing the following areas:

• Job descriptions and reporting relationships to ensure they accurately reflect current responsibilities

• Employee handbook, policies, and procedures to confirm they align with how your business operates today

• Wage and hour practices, including employee classifications, timekeeping procedures, and payroll processes

• Safety programs, workplace postings, and required trainings

• Employee files and required documentation

More importantly, ask whether your current structure still supports your business. Processes that worked for 10 employees may not work for 25 if you had substantial growth in the first half of 2026. Growth, turnover, and organizational changes often create opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce risk.

A mid-year review does not have to be complicated. Spending a few hours assessing your practices now can help identify issues before they become larger challenges. Need help reviewing your policies and practices? Our team is available to provide support.