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