📅 2026 Update: Key Changes in Employment Law

Since the original article was published, several important updates have taken place in U.S. employment law. These changes impact various aspects of hiring, wages, and employee rights. The following sections highlight the most significant updates that relate to part-time jobs.

🕒 Overtime Salary Threshold Reverted

In November 2024, a federal court overturned a rule from the Department of Labor that aimed to raise the overtime salary threshold. As a result, the threshold has returned to $684 per week ($35,568 annually). This affects many workers who may have expected higher pay for overtime hours.

  • 📉 Impact on Workers: Employees earning below this threshold will not qualify for overtime pay, which can affect their overall income.

💰 California Minimum Wage Increase

California has increased its minimum wage as of January 1, 2026. The new minimum wage is $16.90 per hour, up from $16.50 in 2025.

  • 📈 Annual Adjustments: California's minimum wage is updated annually based on inflation, ensuring that wages keep pace with the cost of living.

📜 California Exempt Employee Salary Threshold

Effective January 1, 2026, California has raised the annual salary threshold for exempt employees to $70,304 ($5,858.67 per month).

  • 🔍 Eligibility: Employees classified as exempt must meet this salary requirement to be excluded from overtime pay.

🚫 FTC’s Non-Compete Ban Status

The Federal Trade Commission's attempt to ban most non-compete agreements nationwide was blocked by a federal court. This rule was formally removed on February 12, 2026.

  • ⚖️ Implications for Employment: This means that many employees may still be bound by non-compete clauses in their contracts, which can limit job mobility.

📌 Key Points Summary

  • ⚖️ Overtime salary threshold reverted to $684 per week.
  • 💵 California's minimum wage increased to $16.90 per hour.
  • 📈 California exempt employee salary threshold raised to $70,304 annually.
  • 🚫 FTC's non-compete ban was vacated by a federal court.

💡 Tips for Understanding Employment Changes

Reviewing the details of your situation with an attorney is important to understand how these laws apply to you.

📝 Know Your Rights for Overtime Pay

Understand that the overtime salary threshold is now set at $684 per week. If you earn less than this, you may be entitled to overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a week.

💵 Stay Updated on Minimum Wage Laws

California's minimum wage has increased to $16.90 per hour as of January 1, 2026. Make sure you are aware of your state's minimum wage to ensure you are compensated fairly.

📜 Check Exempt Employee Status

If you are in California and classified as an exempt employee, confirm that your salary is at least $70,304 annually. This helps determine your eligibility for overtime pay.

🚫 Be Aware of Non-Compete Agreements

Even though the FTC's ban on non-compete agreements was blocked, many employees still face these clauses. Review your employment contract to understand any restrictions.

🔍 Utilize Free Government Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor and California Department of Industrial Relations provide resources about labor laws. These can help clarify your rights related to wages, overtime, and employment contracts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the current minimum wage in California?

As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in California is $16.90 per hour. This is an increase from $16.50 in 2025.

❓ How does the overtime salary threshold affect me?

The overtime salary threshold is set at $684 per week. If you earn less than this, you are eligible for overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a week.

❓ What happens to non-compete agreements now?

The FTC's 2024 rule to ban most non-compete agreements was blocked by a federal court. This means that many employees may still be subject to such agreements.

❓ How often does California adjust its minimum wage?

California adjusts its minimum wage annually based on inflation. Any inflation over 7% can lead to increases of up to 3.5%.

❓ What should I do if I believe I’m misclassified as exempt?

If you suspect you have been misclassified, review your salary and job duties. If you earn less than $70,304 annually in California, you may not qualify as exempt.

❓ Where can I find more information about employment rights?

You can access resources from the U.S. Department of Labor and the California Department of Industrial Relations. These organizations offer guidance on various labor laws and employee rights.

⚖️ Recent Court Cases Related to Employment Law

Recent court rulings have focused on the overtime salary threshold and non-compete agreements, both of which are crucial to understanding employee rights.

For ongoing updates, you can browse more rulings on the news page.

End of October 2026 Update





Part-Time Jobs: A Practical Option for Supplemental Income

Part-time jobs are a popular option for individuals looking to supplement their income and gain valuable experience while still maintaining a flexible schedule. Flexible work hours and remote work options have made part-time jobs a hot commodity. In this article, we'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of part-time employment, the industries that commonly offer part-time work, skill requirements, and government resources available to those seeking part-time employment.

Advantages of Part-Time Jobs

There are many benefits to working part-time, including:

Flexibility: Many part-time jobs offer flexible schedules, making it easier to balance work with other responsibilities such as family, school or other commitments.

Part Time Jobs

Additional Income: Part-time work allows individuals to earn additional income beyond their full-time job, freelance work, or other sources of income.

Skill Development: Part-time jobs often provide opportunities to learn new skills. Entry-level part time-work is an excellent way for inexperienced job seekers to acquire work experience, learn new skills, and expand their work portfolio.

Networking Opportunities: Part-time work provides valuable networking opportunities that could lead to higher-paying, larger-scale projects or even job offers.

Disadvantages of Part-Time Jobs

Part-time jobs also have some disadvantages that individuals should consider before accepting a position, such as:

Lower Pay: Part-time jobs typically pay less compared to full-time positions, and benefits are usually only given to full-time employees.

No Healthcare Benefits: In most cases, part-time employees do not receive benefits like health insurance.

Limited Hours: Part-time work usually means fewer hours of work compared to a full-time job, which can lead to less consistent income.

📝 See Also

Industries That Offer Part-Time Employment

Many industries offer part-time employment, including:

Retail: Retail positions, including sales associates and cashiers, are popular options for part-time work, with flexible schedules and opportunities for growth.

Food Service: Restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains often offer part-time positions as food servers, hosts, bartenders, and kitchen staff.

Education: Academic institutions offer part-time positions, such as tutors, teaching assistants, proctors, and research assistants.

Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, and medical offices offer part-time jobs, including medical assistants, receptionists, and healthcare technicians.

Transportation: Companies offer part-time jobs drivers, commercial truck drivers, and couriers.

Skill Requirements for Part-time Jobs

Depending on the industry, there may be specific skill requirements for part-time jobs. Here are some skills that can be valuable for part-time work:

Communication: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are necessary in most part-time positions, as employees often interact with customers or clients.

Time Management: Part-time employees must be excellent time managers to balance work with other responsibilities.

Problem-Solving: Part-time employees must quickly adapt and find solutions to address arising problems.

Industry-Specific: Industry-specific skills required for part-time jobs can vary, such as customer service skills to deal with customers in retail or food service jobs.

Government Resources for Part-Time Jobs

Many government resources are available to individuals seeking part-time work. Here are some resources to consider:

USA JOBS: This is the United States Federal Government's official job platform that offers part-time, seasonal and remote work. There are many job opportunities available across various industries.

CareerOneStop: This is the US Department of Labor’s job search and career information platform, offering job posting, career search tools, and training resources.

Unemployment Resources: Most states' unemployment offices offer part-time job search assistance, including resume assistance, job search assistance, and information on local job fairs.

Conclusion

Part-time jobs remain an attractive employment option for many seeking to supplement their income or balance work with other commitments. While they offer flexibility and opportunities to learn new skills, they also have their fair share of disadvantages, such as lower pay and fewer hours. Industries such as retail, food service, education, healthcare, and transportation commonly offer part-time jobs, with Communication, time management, problem-solving, and industry-specific skills being valuable assets. Check out USA JOBS, CareerOneStop, and various state unemployment offices for job opportunities and resources. With enough research, preparation, and determination, finding the right part-time job is a practical and achievable goal.

What are Part-Time Jobs?

Part-time jobs are a form of employment that carries fewer work hours per week than a full-time employment. A worker is deemed part-time if they work, on average, fewer than 30 or 35 hours per week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States, part-time jobs include any employment where an individual works between 1 and 35 hours per week. In 2010, approximately 20 million Americans assumed part-time work (approximately two thirds of these employees were women).

Aside from the working hours, the most significant difference between full-time and part-time jobs is the presence of benefits—part-time jobs rarely offer employees health insurance, dental insurance, sick-leave, extended vacation periods or other perks associated with full-time employment. Although part-time jobs do not grant expansive benefits or significant pay (in most arenas), there are a number of reasons as to why someone would accept part-time employment. Because of the relaxed work-schedule, part-time jobs enable students, parents or individuals with other priorities/responsibilities to secure a salary without an overwhelming commitment to the job.

Part-time jobs are typically attached with hourly or daily pay rates; holders of part-time jobs are often paid beyond a normal rate of pay to compensate for the lack of benefits. Typically this loading is offered between 15% and 33.3% above a normal full-time hourly rate—this figure is slightly skewed due to the employee’s decreased work week.

Disadvantages to Part-Time jobs:

If you are looking for part-time jobs, understand that this form of employment will be met with the following disadvantages:

• Holders of part-time jobs are not guaranteed affixed working hours (schedules may change weekly)

• There is no requirement to be given employment for a specific day or week for part-time jobs—this characteristic makes it difficult to plan your personal schedule.

• Part-time jobs offer no guarantee of regular income—this characteristic makes it difficult to appropriately plan and coordinate a budget.

• Part-time employees are not provided with the same protections offered in a full-time employment contract. Part-time jobs possess limited dismissal protection

• Part-time jobs will not offer paid annual leave, a notice of termination, access to paid public holidays. Part-time jobs have limited access to career-developing, training and access to workplace resources or information

Benefits of Part-Time Jobs:

• Part-time jobs enable an employee to pursuit other interests or endeavors while earning an income

• A number of part-time jobs will pay “off the books” in the form of cash.

• Part-time jobs enable employees to secure a weekly earning that allows for access to disposable income and budgeting

• Typically, part-time jobs provide access to minimum notice requirements concerning redundancies and shift changes or alterations in the worker’s hours

Part-Time Jobs vs. Full-Time Jobs:

A full-time job typically requires an employee to work a 40-hour week; a full-time employee operates in conjunction with a contract of employment. Benefits such as annual leave, paid sick leave, holiday pay, health insurance and dental insurance are typically offered with a full-time job. By contrast, part-time employees will work fewer hours per week. Part-time jobs will offer similar entitlements (most do not offer benefits) on a pro-rated schedule.