• Federal minimum wage is set to $10.00 per hour as of January 1, 2016 (the last phase for a wage increase passed in 2013)
• Mandatory paid sick leave under the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act was put into place in July 2015, with amendments passed to clarify:
o Who is a covered worker?
o Alternative accrual methods (aside from one hour for every 30 hours worked)
o Grandfather clause
o Alternative methods for paying employees who use PSL
• School Activities Leave protected under SB 579 gives employees the ability to take protected time off work for school activities (25 employees or more)
• National Guard Leave was expanded for protection under California’s military leave protections
• Unemployment insurance reports to the EDD are now electronically submitted according to AB 1245 (effective for employers with 10+ employees as of January 1, 2017 and all employees as of January 1, 2018)
• State disability insurance waiting periods for second claims are extended under SB 667 effective July 1, 2016.
• The Fair Pay Act (SB 358) revises Labor Code dealing with gender pay inequality and defining the law more clearly to cover equal pay for equal work eliminating language of “within the same establishment” and creating a private right of action for retaliation and discrimination.
• Retaliation clauses were tightened up in regards to whistleblowing and reasonable accommodation (AB 1509 and AB 987).
• Professional cheerleaders are to be classified as employees (not independent contractors) under AB 202 in California. Go team!
• Several bills make changes to worker’s compensation law in California from benefits for ALL employees (regardless of immigration status or citizenship) to allowing Contractor’s State License Board to investigate and enforce the obligation of all licensees to secure valid and current worker’s compensation insurance.
• AB 1422 requires ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft to participate in the state DMV “pull notice program.”