Compliance Stuff

In 2025, California is continuing to spearhead efforts to expand employees’ rights. Assembly Bill 2499 (AB 2499), Assembly Bill 2123 (AB 2123), and Senate Bill 1090 (SB 1090) are prime examples of these efforts, providing employees with new and expanded benefits when going on leave. Whether they are caring for an ill family member or were a victim of an act of violence, employees in California are now entitled to more inclusive leave benefits as a result of these new laws. AB 2499 Enacted on September 29, 2024, AB 2499 was created to broaden the protections afforded to victims of violence. Before AB 2499, employees were only afforded protection from discrimination or retaliation for taking time off as a victim of crime or abuse. AB 2499 expands these protections, providing employees the additional benefit of taking time off to assist a family member in obtaining relief or caring for a family member who was a victim of certain qualifying acts. The type of time off is not limited strict...

Governor Newsom recently approved several employment bills that will significantly impact the rights of employees in California starting on  January 1, 2025 . DWT recommends that employers take note of these new laws and get ahead of the game by reviewing their employee handbooks, personnel policies, and employment contracts before the end of the year. SB 399: "Captive Audience" Meeting Ban With the approval of SB 399, California joined a growing number of states that have now enacted bans on employer-sponsored "captive audience" meetings. Effective January 1, 2025, SB 399, a union-backed bill known as the California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act, will prohibit California employers from requiring their employees attend mandatory meetings on religious or political matters, including anti-unionization. Employers may not retaliate against employees for refusing to attend such meetings. Employees who are scheduled to work during the meeting must be paid...