CA Employers: Preliminary 2022 California Employment Law Update

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Below are links to a summary of new California employment laws which will become effective on January 1, 2022, unless otherwise noted or changed. Please note that this is a preliminary overview, which means that new laws are subject to change. Guardian HR will continue to update and inform you of any modifications and will be sending a final 2022 Employment Law Update at the end of December/beginning of January.

New Employment Laws Generally Applicable to All Employers

• Wage Theft Is “Grand Theft”
• Employment Discrimination Litigation Settlement Agreements
• Employment Severance Agreements
• Leaves of Absence
• Record Retention
• Department of Fair Employment and Housing Authority and Procedures
• Workplace Safety
• Notification of COVID-19 Exposure
• Independent Contractors
• Sub-Minimum Wages for Individuals with Disabilities

Industry-Specific Laws

• Hospitality Industry: The Right of Recall
• Warehouse Distribution Centers: Employee Production Quotas
• Retail and Garment Industry: Joint Liability For “Brand Guarantors”
• Construction Industry: Joint Liability for Penalties/Liquidated Damages
• Janitorial Employers: Collective Bargaining Agreement Exemption from PAGA
• Port Drayage Motor Carriers
• Health Care Employers
• Public Sector Employers
• Household Domestic Services
• Agricultural Employers

A Notable Measure That Did Not Pass: Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

Toward the end of the session, legislators expended much effort in attempting to extend California’s COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave law. At one point, a bill included both an extension of the leave, as well as liability protections for businesses. In the end, the bill did not make it out of the legislature, and the state supplemental paid sick leave program expired. Note, however, that several California local ordinances providing for COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave remain in effect.

With this new crop of laws, the Golden State seems destined to stay on the path of robust regulation of the workplace. Guardian HR will continue to keep clients advised of additional developments in California and beyond.

Author: Bruce J. Sarchet

Clients wishing for additional information on California's employment law updates, please contact your Guardian HR dedicated Manager.

If you wish to become a client of Guardian HR and get access to all our resources including your own dedicated consultant and our team of employment attorneys, please contact us at sales@guardianhr.com or call us at 888-373-4724.

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