California’s healthcare minimum wage landscape is changing in 2026 — and employers need to be ready.

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s “California Employment Law” Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down California’s new minimum wage requirements for healthcare workers, explaining who is covered, key compliance deadlines, and what healthcare employers, staffing agencies, and HR professionals must do now to avoid costly penalties.

Ward discusses the complexities of the law, why it’s being called “a bear,” and how organizations can proactively prepare for the phased wage increases.

📖 Read Ward’s article: "California Healthcare Minimum Wage: It’s a Bear!" on Substack: https://successexpress.substack.com/p/california-healthcare-minimum-wage 📘 Explore Ward’s new "California Employment Law" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/CALIFORNIA-EMPLOYMENT-LAW/

👨‍⚖️Connect with Ward Heinrichs at https://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/

🎧 Subscribe to Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down the complexities of joint employment relationships under California law.

The discussion explores how employees can legally have more than one employer at the same time, particularly in franchise and staffing agency arrangements. Ward explains how joint employer liability can arise, who may be responsible for wage and hour violations, and how harassment and HR oversight factor into these cases. This episode is essential listening for employers and employees navigating California’s evolving employment landscape.

📖 Read Ward's Article on Substack: https://successexpress.substack.com/p/joint-employment-law-in-california

CONNECT WITH WARD HEINRICHS: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/ - https://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/ - https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

This episode is also part of the Success Express Podcast Channel on the Big Blend Radio Network: https://success-express-business.podbean.com/

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast with San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs, the conversation continues on the new and evolving California employment laws for 2026.

This episode takes a deeper dive into Prop 22 and gig worker classification, new wage posting requirements, tip pooling rules, wage judgments, repayment clauses in employment contracts, and additional compliance issues employers need to understand to avoid penalties. As California’s labor laws grow increasingly complex, this episode offers critical guidance for both employers and employees navigating the year ahead.

LINKS & RESOURCES - Read Ward's Article & Listen to Part One: https://open.substack.com/pub/successexpress/p/new-california-employment-laws-2026 - Connect with Ward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/ - Visit Ward's site: https://www.employment-law-office-of-ward-heinrichs-apc.com/ - Listen to more episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/ - This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Success Express" & "Big Daily Blend" Podcast Channels. Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s California Employment Law Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down the upcoming changes to California’s minimum wage laws, effective January 2026.

The discussion covers minimum wage increases across sectors, challenges for small businesses competing with larger employers, and significant wage hikes in the healthcare industry. Ward also explains compliance requirements for exempt employees, the consequences of wage violations, and strategies for avoiding costly mistakes. This episode is essential for both employers and employees navigating California’s evolving wage landscape.

📖 Read Ward’s article: https://successexpress.substack.com/p/new-california-employment-laws-for

👨‍⚖️ Connect with Ward Heinrichs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/

🎧 More episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

🔊 Part of the Success Express Podcast Channel on the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs discusses the growing impact of artificial intelligence in employment practices and hiring decisions. The conversation explores how AI can both reflect and amplify existing biases and racism, the ethical challenges of developing fair algorithms, and the importance of transparency and accountability. Ward also explains new regulations designed to ensure equitable hiring practices and protect against AI-driven discrimination in the workplace.

📖 Read Ward’s article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/garbage-in-garbage-out-new-regulations-address-ai-discrimination/

👨‍⚖️ Connect with Ward Heinrichs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/

🎧 More episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

🔊 This episode is also featured on the Success Express Podcast Channel on the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s California Employment Law Podcast, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs is joined by Christina Liao Tong from The Law Offices of Jane Oak.

Together, they unpack the growing complexities of immigration law in California amidst increased ICE enforcement. The conversation addresses employer compliance with I-9 forms, the risks of paying workers under the table, and the legal challenges tied to undocumented workers. They also explore employee rights, proactive strategies for handling ICE visits, and the broader impact immigration policies have on families, including issues of child labor and trafficking.

About Ward Heinrichs: http://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/ About Christina Liao Tong: https://lawofficesofjaneoak.com/staff/christina-liao/

🎧 More episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

🔊 This episode is also part of the Success Express Podcast Channel on the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

In Part 2 of this Big Blend Radio California Employment Law Podcast series covering Minimum Wage Laws, San Diego attorney Ward Heinrichs explores the latest wage increases impacting healthcare and hospitality workers in California. With living costs on the rise and pandemic aftershocks still rippling through the workforce, these new minimum wage mandates are creating both opportunities and legal challenges. This episode breaks down what these increases mean for employers and employees, and why staying legally informed is more critical than ever.

📖 Read & Listen to Part One: “Midyear Reminder of New California Minimum Wage Laws 2025” – Covers the FAST Recovery Act, federal complications, and broader wage law updates. https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/midyear-reminder-of-new-california-minimum-wage-laws-2025/

📖 Read the current article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/midyear-reminder-of-new-california-minimum-wage-laws-2025-part-2/ 👨‍⚖️ About Ward Heinrichs: http://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/ 🎧 More episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/ 🔊 Part of the Success Express Podcast Channel on the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s California Employment Law Podcast with attorney Ward Heinrichs, he unpacks key updates in California’s minimum wage laws. From the FAST Recovery Act and increased wages for healthcare workers to proposed changes affecting hospitality workers in San Diego, this episode provides a timely midyear reminder for both employers and employees to stay informed.

📖 Read the article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/midyear-reminder-of-new-california-minimum-wage-laws-2025/ 👨‍⚖️ About Ward Heinrichs: http://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/ 🎧 More episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/ 🔊 Part of the Success Express Podcast Channel on the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork