The key to making the most of California labor and employment law is engaging in fair hiring practices, complying with safety standards and keeping a good work environment. California labor law was originally intended to simply improve working conditions for employees, but it also improves the relationship between employers and employees. The resulting increase in productivity also increases profits for owners.

California state employment law includes regulations on specific issues such as break and lunch periods, employee-to-foreman ratios, job safety and the work environment. Labor laws must also be regularly updated to deal with changes in technology and work requirements.

California labor and employment law can be grouped into the following areas:

1. Overtime laws that govern how employees are to be paid after working their normal work day. These laws are most applicable for suits involving the restoration of overtime pay.
2. Labor laws in California that deal with disabled workers, especially with regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
3. Tax laws that affect damages earned for emotional distress on lawsuits. Recent changes in these laws mean that any settlement of this type will now be far lower.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stay current on CA employment law

These laws can change frequently and it's essential that you keep up to date in order to protect your business from frivolous lawsuits and understand your rights as an employer.

I recommend: California Labor Law summarizes labor laws and provides specific excerpts that apply to California employees. Learn more at Storm’s California Employment Law, a blog dedicated to reporting updates to employment law in California.

Study state guidelines to help you comply with CA state employment law

California has official state websites that provide extensive information on employment regulations. There are also many other sites that provide summaries of state employment and labor laws.

I recommend: The Department of Industrial Relations has a variety of resources to help you understand labor and employment law in California. Get more information about the labor code in California in addition to other statutes at California Code.

Use attorneys that specialize in CA state labor law

Employment law attorneys can help you understand the often complex laws regarding your employees. Many of these attorneys also provide summaries of these laws on their websites.

I recommend: To learn more, read the newsletters on employment law at Rynn & Janowski, a law firm with several offices in California. Fisher & Phillips practices labor law in California and also offers legal alerts related to California labor laws.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Employers with three or more employees must display mandatory California employment law posters. This is required in order to comply with both the United States Department of Labor and California Department of Labor. The most common locations for these posters are areas where employees tend to congregate during breaks such as conference rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks.

Labor laws in California began as they did in the rest of the country, as a way to protect employees. But along the way, the government and business sectors realized that labor laws benefit the business as well by spelling out everyone’s rights and responsibilities so that misunderstandings are minimized.

California labor and employment law directs employers in fair hiring practices, appropriate work environment and safety standards. When these aspects of the job benefit the employee, productivity in a business increases.

Allow CA labor laws to educate you in:

1. Compliance with California state employment law

2. Basing wage and hour regulations on California state labor law

3. The correct way to perform background checks under California employment law

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become knowledgeable about CA labor laws

Due to the ever changing workplace, employment law also evolves. Most likely, a human resources director stays current on employment laws in California that affect your business. If you don't have an HR director, choose another person whose job duties include a working knowledge of how the current laws affect your business.

I recommend: Although all states must abide by federal employment and labor laws, each state also has its own regulations that business owners must follow. The California state government provides a copy of the state labor law online.

Stay current on California employment law with software

If the idea of making certain your business follows all those laws and regulations overwhelms you, consider purchasing software that tackles labor law compliance.

I recommend: California may have some of the strictest labor laws in the country, but WorkForce software solutions specific to California can help you understand. California Labor Law Digest explains the finer points of the law while providing the forms you need, too.

Keep an eye on immigration laws

Immigration is a hot topic with laws changing and differing from state to state. When you hire immigrants, you must make certain that you follow California labor laws and immigration laws.

I recommend: Verify that an immigrant is legally employable with an I-9 check through the Department of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Aquino & Aquino is a California-based law firm that practices immigration law, including employment-based immigration law.

Hire California labor law firms when you need help with labor or employment issues

Even the best intentions result in lawsuits occasionally. If you have a labor law dispute, consult with an attorney experienced in California state employment law.

I recommend: Check the California Labor Attorney site or FindLaw lawyer directory for a referral.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Provide an employee handbook that includes all employment policies in addition to an EEO statement.
• •  If employees belong to a union, discuss changes in labor laws in California with a union representative so that both sides understand the regulations in the same way.

The purpose of California state employment law is to protect the welfare of employees. As an employer, you must implement federal and state labor laws in your hiring practices, the wages you pay employees, how you and your staff treat other employees and in many other areas.

In order to protect yourself from a lawsuit or prosecution for noncompliance, it’s important that you fully understand what each California labor and employment law means and the intended protection it gives. You will also need to know when laws are changed or how court decisions modify the interpretation of labor laws. Use the following strategies to stay informed:

1. Connect with forums and question and answer pages provided by organizations that specialize in California employment law.

2. Reference articles and blogs for a better understanding of CA state labor law.

3. Check for seminars in your area to obtain further California labor and employment law education and training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Submit questions to experts on employment laws in California

Several organizations and California employment law firms provide various resources, such as forums, tools and links, to help employers know and understand the laws they must abide by each day regarding their staffs. Most of these resources will provide accurate and up-to-date information so that you're not in the dark on the latest law changes and interpretations.

I recommend: The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency provides tips for employers to effectively review and stay apprised of CA employment law. The United States Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration provides the Workforce Professionals page with helpful law updates, tools, resources and links. The Law Offices of Michael Tracy offers answers to frequently asked questions about California state labor laws.

Study articles and manuals to assist your understanding of labor laws in California

Many labor lawyers in California will often provide access to articles, newsletters and other resource materials to keep area employers informed. Additionally, you should acquire books and other manuals to help guide you and answer common questions regarding the labor laws you must enforce within your business practices.

I recommend: The law firm of Harris & Kaufman offers a number of articles on California state work laws. Access Storm’s California Employment Law, a blog devoted to labor law issues within the state and written by an area attorney, to keep apprised of relevant information. Sign up to receive the California Employment Law Letter, a monthly publication from HRhero written for employers by California labor law attorneys.

Frequent conferences and workshops regarding CA labor laws

Local organizations and universities may offer seminars and courses to familiarize you with the basics of labor and employment law. Most charge a registration fee of some sort, but may be well worth it to have a better understanding of the California labor law process.

I recommend: Visit the California Department of Industrial Relations website and click on “training” for information on upcoming seminars for employers. Carlton DiSante & Freudenberger offers monthly roundtable discussions for the California state labor law issues that human resources officials deal with daily.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't rely upon your own research and understanding if a problem arises regarding your company's application of California state work laws. Always consult California labor law firms if you're in doubt about anything, so you and your business are protected. Find an attorney that has board certification in labor and employment law for the most trustworthy results.