Changes that May Impact Your Business

California’s lawmakers have been hard at work in our state capitol, creating and voting on thousands of bills. As of January 1, 2019, the state legislature passed, and the governor signed over a thousand new laws that affect everything from your workplace etiquette to what we drink and how we drink it. 

To help get you acquainted with some of the changes that could impact you or your business, the associates at Tyler & Bursch have created an easy guide through a few of these laws.

The Workplace & Employment

SB 3, Minimum Wage Increase: Back in 2016, the Senate passed a bill that approved the increase of minimum wage for employees over time. Starting this month, any California employer with more than 25 employees is required to raise their minimum wage from $11 to $12. Similarly, businesses with less than 25 employees will raise their hourly wage rates from $10.50 to $11. Per the 2016 bill, we can expect these wage increases to continue annually until employees reach an hourly wage rate of $15.

AB 2770, Workplace Harassment: With recent rises in defamation suits regarding sexual harassment in the workplace, AB 2770 resolves that employers and employees involved in workplace sexual harassment cases cannot be sued by the supposed offender for defamation when a sexual harassment complaint is recorded and/or an internal investigation is conducted. The bill also allows prior employers to release information to potential employers regarding a person’s past sexual harassment allegations. This bill’s intention is to protect business owners and victims of sexual harassment from defamation suits that have previously gridlocked organizations after allegations have been brought to management’s attention.

SB 820, Confidentiality: Beginning this year, in an effort to protect victims of harassment in the workplace, SB 820 prohibits the use of any non-disclosure agreements involving factual information of sexual harassment allegations or cases of discrimination. The bill also allows claimants of these cases to deny the release of their name for personal privacy and protection. 

SB 1300, Non-disparagement: SB 1300 disallows an employer’s ability to have employees sign contracts that waive future legal claims. This makes presenting non-disparagement agreements in exchange for opportunities such as continued employment, raises, bonuses and/or other possible endeavors, unlawful.

AB 1976, Workplace Breastfeeding: This legislation states that employers are required to make reasonable efforts to find a space for mothers to breastfeed in the workplace that is not a workplace bathroom.

SB 1252, Workplace Personnel File: Beginning this year, employees that want to look at their employment records are able to do more than just see them at their human resources office. They will be able to request a personal copy of their employment file.

SB 826, Female Board of Directors: Publicly-traded companies are being put on notice. They must have at least one woman in their board of directors by the end of 2019 and two or more women in their board of directors by 2021. Failure to comply with these standards can result in fines.