(December 23, 2008) Mandatory changes have been made to three of the notices California employers are required to display to explain workers’ rights to employees.

• New federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rules published on November 17 include new poster and notice requirements. 
• The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) workplace poster includes required changes, according to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. 
• The state Employment Development Department (EDD) notice to employees has changed for 2009.

Family Leave

 The FMLA rules going into effect on January 16, 2009 cover:

• the new poster and notice requirements; 
• eligibility for leave if the employee has a break in service with the employer; 
• when bonus payments may be denied to an employee on FMLA; 
• increase in penalties for failure to post the FMLA notice; 
• requirement that employers indicate how much time will be used as FMLA (if known); 
• retroactive application of leave.

 Required Pamphlet Changes 

In addition, there are new requirements in 2009 to the following required pamphlets:

• Workers’ Compensation Rights & Benefits pamphlets (required for new hires); 
• State Disability Insurance pamphlets (required for new hires and employees taking non-work-related disability leave); 
• Paid Family Leave (required for new hires and any employee taking a leave of absence);
• Unemployment Insurance pamphlets (required for any employee who becomes unemployed).

More information on the new requirements is available in the HR Watchdog Blog at www.hrcalifornia.com. 

For more information on the product changes or to order, visit www.calbizcentral.com.