California’s Right to Recall Law, Labor Code 2810.8, enacted after the massive layoffs in 2020-2021, requires airport service providers, hotels, event centers, and private clubs to first offer jobs to employees terminated on or after March 20, 2020 due to the pandemic.  The law extends to January 1, 2027.

The Labor Commissioner has now settled with the Anaheim Marriott Hotel for $2.75 million for failing to notify 24 such job-qualified workers who had worked for the company for at least six months before pandemic-caused lay-offs.

Lilia García-Brower, California Labor Commissioner, stated:

“Hospitality workers made tremendous sacrifices during the pandemic and eligible workers deserved a fair opportunity to return when businesses reopened. When employers failed to honor that obligation, our office followed the facts, enforced the law, and secured a settlement that provides meaningful relief to affected workers.”

Take-Aways:

Employers in the hospitality industries must continue to make jobs available to workers laid off because of the pandemic through the end of 2026.

For further information, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin.

See also:

• Comeback Kids: Rehire Rights Extended for Certain Pre-Pandemic Employees (November 28, 2025)
• Former Workers Get First Shot: 3.3 Million Reasons to Hire Back Pre-Pandemic Hospitality Employees (March 11, 2022
• Comeback Trail: Hotels, Security Services and Others Must Offer Openings to Pandemic-Affected Former Staff (April 30, 2021)

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Helena Kobrin

August 7, 2026