Employment

California employment laws – John F. McCarthy is an award-winning employment lawyer who can help you ensure your business is compliant with California employment law. He can assess your compliance, draft policies, provide guidance, train your employees, and represent you in court.

California employment statutes and laws provide numerous and various protections and regulations for employees in the state.  Employers must comply with these laws, or else face costly lawsuits. 

Employment Laws Employers Should Know if Operating a California Business

Here are some key areas of employment law business owners need to worry about in California:

1. Minimum Wage: The minimum wage in California continues to climb. Some cities and counties have higher minimum wage rates.
2. Overtime: California law typically requires employers to pay employees 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. For hours worked over 12 hours in a day or 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek, employers must pay double the regular rate of pay.
3. Meal and Rest Breaks: California law requires employers to provide meal breaks of at least 30 minutes to employees who work more than 5 hours in a day, and to provide rest breaks of at least 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked.
4. Anti-Discrimination: California law prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and national origin.
5. Leave and Benefits: California has several laws that provide employees with leave and benefits, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and the Paid Family Leave program.
6. Sexual Harassment: California law prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace, which includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
7. Worker’s Compensation: Employers in California are required to carry worker’s compensation insurance to cover employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.

These are just a few examples of the many employment laws in California. It’s important for both employers and employees to be familiar with these laws to ensure that they are complying with them and protecting their rights.

How Do I Ensure Compliance with Employment Law in California?

Compliance with employment laws in California is crucial for any business operating in the state to avoid legal issues and penalties. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your business is compliant with California laws:

1. Familiarize yourself with California employment statutes and laws: It is important to understand the state laws that regulate employment practices in California. You can access information on these laws from the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and California’s Civil Rights Division (CRD). 
2. Create an Employee Handbook: Your business should have an employee handbook that outlines the company’s policies and procedures, including employment laws that apply to your business. Ensure that the handbook is reviewed and updated regularly to comply with any changes in the law.
3. Post Required Notices: Employers are required to post notices of the various employment laws, including minimum wage, workers’ compensation, and family and medical leave. Ensure that these notices are displayed prominently in the workplace and updated regularly.
4. Conduct Training: Train your employees and management team on California employment laws. This can help to prevent any violations of the law that may occur due to ignorance or lack of knowledge.

By taking these steps, your business can reduce the risk of legal issues and penalties resulting from non-compliance with California employment laws.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me Comply with California’s Employment Statutes & Laws?

A lawyer can play a critical role in helping your business comply with California statutes and laws. Here are some of the ways a lawyer can assist you:

1. Assessing compliance: A lawyer can review your current employment policies and practices to determine whether they comply with California state law
2. Drafting policies: If you need to update your policies or create new ones, a lawyer can draft policies that work for your business, and comply with California employment laws.
3. Providing guidance: A lawyer can provide guidance on various employment issues, such as wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, and harassment laws.
4. Training: A lawyer can provide training to your employees on various employment laws and regulations to help prevent potential violations.
5. Representation: In the event of a lawsuit or investigation, a lawyer can represent your business in court or during an investigation by a governmental agency.
6. Compliance audits: A lawyer can conduct a compliance audit to identify potential areas of noncompliance and help your business take corrective action to address any issues.

Consult with an Award Winning Employment Lawyer

The Role of a Lawyer in Compliance with California Employment Law

Overall, working with a lawyer can help your business navigate the complex landscape of the complex employment laws of California and minimize the risk of legal violations and costly litigation.  Attorney John McCarthy is widely regarded as a top employment attorney, even getting recognized as one of the top 40 labor and employment lawyers under 40 in the entire United States.  Why not schedule a confidential, FREE consultation with him today?