What Are California Labor Laws?
California labor laws are extensive, and they safeguard workers’ rights.
Following is an overview of major areas under California labor laws:
Minimum Wage
Minimum State Wage: By 2024, the minimum wage in California for all employers will be $16.00 per hour.
Minimum Local Wage: In certain cities and counties within California, the minimum wage is more than that mentioned above.
Overtime: Non-exempt Employees shall receive overtime for every hour worked beyond 8 hours in a single day or 40 hours within a week at a rate of 1.5 times the normal rate.
Double time: They should be compensated double the usual rate of pay for work exceeding 12 hours in a day and 8 hours more than the 7th straight workday in a week.
Meal and Rest Breaks
Meal Breaks: All employees who work over five hours a day are entitled to an unpaid break of 30 minutes. A second break of 30 minutes is compulsory if they work more than 10 hours.
Rest Breaks: Employees are entitled to a paid rest break of 10 minutes after each 4 hours of work or a meaningful fraction thereof.
Paid Sick Leave
California law mandates employers to provide at least 24 hours (3 days) of paid sick leave every year. These can be carried over.
Paid Family Leave
California provides a maximum of 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (PFL) to employees to care for a new child or for an ill member of their family. This is paid by the state disability insurance.
Workplace Safety
California Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to create a healthy and safe working environment. This also involves adequate training, equipment, and procedures for avoiding illness and injury at work.
Wage Theft Prevention
California wage theft laws are robust. They obligate employers to give comprehensive wage statements and uphold workers’ rights to recover unpaid wages.
Discrimination and Harassment
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is a law that forbids discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics, including gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, and disability.
Family and Medical Leave
Besides the protections under the federal FMLA, the California Family Rights Act provides employees with the option to take unpaid and job-protected leave for a maximum of 12 weeks to attend to family or medical matters.
Retaliation Protections
California labor regulations shield workers against retaliation when they exercise their rights, like complaining regarding wage infractions or hazardous work conditions.
Independent Contractors
California Assembly Bill 5 created more stringent requirements to be an independent contractor. The ABC test applies to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation insurance is mandated by employers in order to provide for their employees in the occurrence of an on-the-job injury or illness.
Final Paychecks
Employers are required to issue a final paycheck stub on the date of termination or within 72 hours if an employee quits without notice. The paycheck should have all wages due, including vacation time accumulated.
Employee Privacy
California law also affords employees some rights of privacy. These consist of restrictions on drug testing, monitoring, and access to employee records.
Unemployment Insurance
California’s Unemployment Insurance Program gives temporary monetary assistance to workers who are eligible and lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Unions and Collective Bargaining
California maintains the right of workers to unionize, join a union, and bargain collectively with their employers.
These laws are enforced by the California Department of Industrial Relations and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. The laws are punishable to employers who break them, yet employees can report complaints or file suits.
What are Work Laws in California?
California work laws are:
Minimum Wage: $16.00 hourly statewide (2024).
Paying overtime: Getting paid 1.5x for 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. Getting paid double after 12 hours.
Breaks: 30 minutes unpaid meal break after 5 hours, 10-minute paid rest break every 4 hours.
Paid Sick Leave: 3 days a year.
Paid Family Leave: Up to 8 weeks.
Workplace Safety: Employers are responsible for a safe workplace (Cal/OSHA).
Anti-Discrimination: Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment in the workplace.
Retaliation Protection: Protection against retaliation for exercising rights in the workplace.
Workers’ Compensation: Mandatory for work-related injuries/illnesses.
Final paychecks: At the time of termination or within 72 hours of quitting.
State governments, like the Department of Industrial Relations enforce such laws.
