From the Labor & Employment Department:
2018 Brings Changes to California’s Labor and Employment Laws – Part One of a Three Part Series
New legislation regarding labor and employment laws in California became effective on January 1, 2018.
Several laws address parental leave, hiring practices, gender discrimination and harassment, wages, workplace safety and workers’ compensation.
Here is a brief overview of noteworthy changes in the legislation for employers.
Parental Leave for Small Employers:
- SB 63, the New Parent Leave Act, requires that small businesses provide new parents with up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave to allow the parent to bond with a newborn. Beginning on January 1, 2020, employers of at least 20 employees or more within a 75-mile radius will have to provide “baby-bonding” leave to its employees.
Hiring Practices and Enforcement:
- Under AB 1008, employers with five or more employees are not allowed to inquire about criminal history on job applications or any time prior to an offer of employment.
- Under AB 168, employers are no longer allowed to ask applicants about prior salary or use their salary history and must provide an applicant with a pay scale for the position, rather than using a salary history to determine how much to pay the applicant.
- AB 450, The Immigrant Worker Protection Act, protects workers from immigration enforcement while on the job.
- AB 1221 requires that businesses train alcohol servers on alcohol responsibility.
With all of these new laws in effect, employers may need to make adjustments to handbooks, trainings or even general practices. Vee Sotelo and Lena Wade are SBEMP’s Labor and Employment attorneys and are ready to provide you the guidance you need.
