Overview

California employers comply with the most stringent and complex labor laws in the nation and face some of the highest fines and penalties when they fail to do so. As a result, employers are calling for simplification in workplace rules and laws.

Related Business Issue: Workplace Improvements

Goals

Protect employers' rights to organize, direct and manage their companies' employees in an efficient, safe and productive manner.

Major Victories:

• Halting costly workplace mandates, including a health care tax on employers (AB 8), mandatory payments for striking employees (AB 504), severe restrictions on employer communications with employees (SB 180, SB 650), new penalties for misclassifying independent contractors (SB 622).
• Safeguarding employers against new costs/liability by securing vetoes of proposals expanding employer liability for wage-and-hour lawsuits (AB 435); access to personnel records (AB 1707); family/medical leave (AB 537); bereavement leave (SB 549); workers’ compensation for temporary employees (AB 1710); indoor heat exposure (AB 1045); and employment discrimination (SB 836).

Issue Summaries

Family Leave
Position: The California Chamber of Commerce opposes legislation placing new or expanded leave mandates on employers and works to ensure conflicts between state and federal family leave laws and regulations are minimized to the fullest extent possible. The challenge of balancing work and family is increasingly more important as the family structure evolves. The CalChamber supports solutions that work for both employee and employer, providing flexible scheduling options while contributing to the growth and viability of the California economy. Family Leave

Independent Contractors
Position: The California Chamber of Commerce supports legislation designed to clarify, simplify and safeguard independent contractor tax status and opposes legislation that restricts or prohibits the use of independent contractors. Independent Contractors

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