Labor and Employment - California Chamber of Commerce
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Labor and Employment

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

Related Top Stories & Videos

09/19/2008 - CalChamber Requests Veto on Legislation Aimed at Diminishing Workplace Safety
09/18/2008 - San Francisco Requires Businesses to Provide Commuter Benefits for Employees
09/16/2008 - CalChamber Urges Vetoes on Two ‘Job Killer’ Bills Inflating Liability Costs
08/21/2008 - Court Rules Non-Compete Agreements Unenforceable
08/14/2008 - Court Rules on Employee Privacy with Third Party Servers
08/12/2008 - New Bill Eliminates Employees' Right to Secret Ballot Elections
08/11/2008 - CalChamber Comments on Unemployment Insurance
08/11/2008 - Hard Times Push State Unemployment Fund Toward Bankruptcy
08/08/2008 - Sick Leave Mandate Bill Dies in Senate Committee
07/28/2008 - Hearing Soon on Sick Leave Mandate Bill
07/25/2008 - U.S. High Court Puts Burden on Employers in Age Discrimination Cases
07/23/2008 - Court of Appeal Rules Employers Must Only Provide Meal and Rest Breaks
07/01/2008 - California Businesses Must Assess Liability Under Cell Phone Law
06/25/2008 - Study Finds Sick Leave Mandate Will Cost California 370,000 Jobs
06/23/2008 - Meal Period Lawsuit Crisis Needs Complete Solution
06/20/2008 - U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Anti-Employer California Law
06/19/2008 - CalChamber-Opposed Meal-Period Bill Fails to Provide Employees, Employers with Solutions
05/28/2008 - CalChamber Announces HR Network to Help Businesses Connect with Local Consultants
04/17/2008 - Assembly Committee Passes New Sick Leave Mandate
04/14/2008 - Senate Panel Recognizes Need to Clarify Meal Period Rules
04/10/2008 - Employer, Employee Testimony Illustrates Need for Flexible Work Schedules
04/09/2008 - Committee to Hear CalChamber-Sponsored Bill Allowing Flexible Work Schedules
03/31/2008 - CalChamber Sponsors Bill to Clarify Meal Period Law
03/21/2008 - CalChamber-Opposed “Card Check” Bill Vetoed by Governor
03/19/2008 - CalChamber Urges Governor to Veto “Card Check” Legislation
03/04/2008 - State Supreme Court Finds Supervisors Not Personally Liable for Retaliation
02/27/2008 - New Federal Posting Requirements in Effect
01/25/2008 - CalChamber Hails Decision from California Supreme Court