New Basket Of CA Employment Laws

A number of new employment laws in California, some already in effect and others to become effective in 2017 or later, are listed in this post from Drinker Biddle, along with a brief summary of each and the date at which it becomes effective. New legislation addresses a wide range of issues, from wage-and-hour and family leave to bathrooms, immigration matters, and the use of criminal histories in hiring. There is also a law that “expands the prohibition on smoking of tobacco products in all enclosed places of employment to all employers of any size, including a place of employment where the owner-operator is the only employee.” Another prohibits employers from requiring California-based employees to enter into agreements, including arbitration agreements, that would require them to adjudicate claims arising in California in a non-California forum or litigate their claims under the law of another jurisdiction, unless the employee is represented by counsel.