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Ridgemark Insurance Services
Top 10 New Laws and Regulations Affecting California Employers Part 2
This is the second of two parts, highlighting the top 10 laws and regulations affecting California businesses in 2026. 6. Wage judgment penalties On Jan. 1, 2026, SB 261 expanded the potential liabilities for employers that fail to pay a final wage judgment. Under the...
Top 10 New Laws and Regulations Affecting California Employers Part 1
With 2026 now upon us, so is a slew of new laws and regulations that affect California businesses. Every year, laws passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by the governor take effect, and 2025 was a busy legislative session in Sacramento. The end result...
Construction Industry Risks Evolve, Creating Unique Challenges
As the construction industry continues to rebound from the recession, contractors face evolving risks that, left unchecked, can leave their operations exposed to new liabilities. If you already operate a construction firm, you know that there is a labor shortage that...
Keeping it Safe, and Limiting Liability During Holidays
With year-end festivities about to begin, you should include safety into your holiday plans, be that if you are simply decorating the office or throwing a holiday/year-end party for your staff. While you obviously want your staff to relax and have fun at your holiday...
Preventing Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Drug and alcohol use by employees on or off the job is a troublesome societal plague that has put many employers on the defensive. Research by the U.S. Department of Labor shows that between 10% and 20% of the nation's workers who die on the job test positive for...
How to Rebuild on Time After a Commercial Property Claim
For businesses that suffer property damage, getting repairs or rebuilding completed on time and within budget is becoming an uphill battle. A mix of inflation, supply chain challenges leading to material shortages, a tight construction labor market and the inherent...
Compliance Alert: New Law Expands Protected Paid, Unpaid Leave
California employers have new compliance challenges because of a law that further broadens the circumstances under which employees can take protected paid and unpaid leave. AB 406, which took effect Oct. 1, 2025, expands on last year's revisions to the state's paid...
New AI-in-Hiring Rules Are in Effect: What You Need to Know
Starting Oct. 1, 2025, any California employer that uses artificial intelligence and other automated tools in recruiting, hiring, promotion and related human resources decisions will have to ensure that the tools don't discriminate against protected classes. The new...
Workplace Incivility, Violence Costing Businesses Billions
American workplaces are facing a growing civility crisis that is costing companies dearly. According to new research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), rudeness and discourteous behavior are costing U.S. businesses an estimated $2.1 billion every...
Liability, Large Court Verdicts Drive Commercial Auto Insurance Price Surge
Commercial auto insurance companies continue to post steep losses for liabilities like third-party injuries and property damage, which is driving continued rate hikes for businesses, particularly fleet operators, according to a new report from A.M. Best. The line...