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BOUNDARIES 101 California's Anti-Discrimination Legislation

California and federal labor laws are designed to protect employees from unlawful discrimination. California'sFair Employment and Housing Act(FEHA), signed into law in 1980 by then-Governor Jerry Brown, is the principal anti-discrimination law in California today.

LAST PAY MAYDAY Final Paycheck Requirements

California employers must meet strict deadlines for issuing final paychecks or facepenalties- up to 30 days of the employee's daily wage for each day of delay. The deadlines vary depending on termination or resignation.

LEAVE LAW LOWDOWN California Vacation, PTO and Sick Leave

California employers must follow complex state and local laws when managing employee time off. With proper planning, they can either separate mandatory sick leave from vacation or paid time off (PTO) or combine them into a single policy. Each approach carries specific legal obligations.

NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS Some Now Covered by Cal/OSHA Safeguards

Under SB1350, effective July 1, 2025, some domestic workers are now covered byCal/OSHAemployee protections.

IT'S HOT AGAIN Ramp Up Heat Illness Prevention Measures

Cal/OSHArecentlyreminded employersof their obligation to prevent worker heat illness, outdoors and indoors. With temperatures rising into the 90s and 100s in some locations, such measures are necessary to prevent serious injury.

RIGHTS INSIGHTS Employers Must Distribute Updated Victims Pamphlet

California's Civil Rights Department has released the new "Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Rights to Leave and Accommodations" pamphletas required by Assembly Bill (AB)2499.

THE PURSUIT OF PEACE Review and Retrain: Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

Beginning July 1, 2024, most California employers must establish a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) for each work site, provide violence prevention training, and maintain incident logs and records of investigations and hazard assessments.

CALIFORNIA NEW MINIMUM WAGE RATES TAKE EFFECT IN JULY

Effective July 1, 2025, several California cities and counties will implement increases to their local minimum wage rates.

MAJORITY DISCRIMINATIONUS Supreme Court Levels the Playing Field

InAmes v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Services(Ames), the United States Supreme Court unanimously overturned a higher standard that some federal appeals courts were imposing on majority group members claiming workplace discrimination.