California has a thriving economy, in no small part due to the workers who use their skills and knowledge to help businesses thrive there. The state has many regulations in place that help protect individual workers and organized labor groups.
California’s employment and labor laws are relatively progressive. State lawmakers frequently expand on federal regulations to make them more beneficial for employees working in the Golden State. Workers have a right to fair pay, reasonable job requirements and safe working conditions.
How do California’s progressive labor policies benefit employees?
By helping them access support
Many employment laws specifically aim to protect workers’ employment during times of difficulty. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) established the right to take leave for personal medical issues, family growth or the support of a loved one at the federal level. The California Family Rights Act C(FRA) expanded FMLA protections to include more types of relationships.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal rule that requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to those with disabling medical conditions who need support at work. California expanded on the ADA by making workplace protections available to employees at businesses with five or more employees instead of 15 or more workers.
California also has more robust overtime protections. There are more scenarios in which California employees qualify for overtime, including working seven days in a row or especially long shifts. California’s current minimum wage is also more than twice the current federal minimum wage. California’s labor laws help ensure that workers can maintain an appropriate work-life balance and that they receive reasonable compensation for their contributions to their company.
By protecting them from employer retaliation
California workers also have enhanced protections if they have to report misconduct and accompany attempts to retaliate against them. Employers generally have to display information about whistleblower protections in locations accessed by workers so that they know their rights. If companies try to punish workers for making use of their rights, the workers may have the option of taking legal action.
Workers who have experienced mistreatment or difficult scenarios on the job may have questions about whether their employers have violated California employment laws. Reviewing workplace grievances can help professionals determine if they are in an actionable position under California’s progressive labor laws.