Can independent contractors legally earn commissions in California? The answer is more complicated than you might think.

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explores the intersection of California commission laws and independent contractor classification under AB5. The discussion examines who can legally receive commissions, the distinctions between employees and independent contractors, and why written commission agreements are essential for protecting both workers and businesses.

Ward explains how California law treats commission-based compensation, the legal protections available to commissioned employees, and why certain professions—including attorneys, brokers, and some exempt workers—may operate differently under the law. The conversation also covers outside salespersons, expense reimbursement, multi-state employment considerations, and how AB5 continues to shape California's workforce.

Whether you're an employer, salesperson, business owner, or independent contractor, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating California's evolving employment landscape.

📖 Read Ward's article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/independent-contractors-commission

🌐 Learn more about Ward Heinrichs: https://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/

🔗 Connect with Ward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/

📘 Explore the California Employment Law Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/california-employment-law-magazine

🎧 Listen to more California Employment Law Podcast episodes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/california-employment-law-with-ward-heinrichs

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explains how California commission laws impact both employers and employees, including the legal differences between inside and outside sales roles, minimum wage protections, overtime exemptions, independent contractor concerns, and why written commission agreements are essential.

The conversation explores how commission structures work in real-world sales environments, from retail and automotive sales to remote work and field sales positions. Ward also discusses California’s legal requirements for commission contracts, what happens when commissions are delayed or disputed, and why vague language in agreements can lead to costly litigation.

Whether you’re a business owner creating compensation plans or a salesperson reviewing a commission agreement, this episode offers valuable insight into protecting your rights and understanding California employment law.

📖 Read Ward’s article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/california-sales-commission-laws-2026

Explore Ward’s Digital Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/california-employment-law-magazine

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

🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/california-employment-law-with-ward-heinrichs

Managing employees across state lines comes with complex legal challenges — and getting it wrong can be costly.

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs explains how multi-state employment laws impact wages, overtime, and compliance for businesses operating across borders. From remote work arrangements to industries like agriculture and hospitality, Ward breaks down how employee location determines which state laws apply, and why California’s unique wage and hour rules can significantly affect employers.

The conversation highlights key risks tied to cross-border employment, jurisdictional differences, and business expansion, along with practical insights on documentation, compliance strategies, and when to seek legal guidance. Whether your employees work remotely, travel between states, or operate in multiple locations, this episode offers essential guidance for navigating today’s evolving employment landscape.

📖 Read Ward’s article: https://bigblendmedia.substack.com/p/navigating-multi-state-employment

📘 Explore Ward’s California Employment Law Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.employment-law-office-of-ward-heinrichs-apc.com/articles

🌐 Connect with Ward Heinrichs: https://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/

🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

Hiring employees in California is becoming more complex in 2026, with new laws impacting everything from job postings to AI-driven hiring tools.

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "California Employment Law" Podcast, San Diego employment attorney Ward Heinrichs breaks down what employers need to know about pay transparency requirements, AI discrimination risks in hiring, and new rules governing signing bonus repayment, along with key wage considerations tied to job offers.

From updated minimum wage laws for fast food and healthcare workers to stricter requirements around accurate wage ranges in job postings, this conversation highlights how hiring practices must evolve to stay compliant. Ward also explains how the use of artificial intelligence in hiring can expose employers to discrimination claims if not carefully monitored, and what businesses should do to protect themselves.

Whether you’re an employer, HR professional, or job seeker, this episode offers essential insights into navigating California’s changing hiring landscape in 2026.

📖 Read Ward’s article: https://successexpress.substack.com/p/hiring-in-california-2026

🌐 Connect with Ward Heinrichs: https://bestemploymentattorneysandiego.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-heinrichs/

📘 Explore Ward’s Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/CALIFORNIA-EMPLOYMENT-LAW/#p=1

🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://ward-heinrichs-employment-law.podbean.com/

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