(April 21, 2010) A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that removes flexibility employers need to balance bereavement leave requests with pressing leave requests by other employees for other reasons is being heard by an Assembly policy committee today.

AB 2340 (Monning; D-Carmel) potentially makes the management of overlapping leave requests unfeasible or unfair and could create staffing shortages that temporarily halt operations by requiring every employer to provide every employee with up to three days of unpaid bereavement leave per year.

The bill further prohibits any adverse action against employees for requesting and taking such leave and provides a private right of action for violations of the bill’s provisions.

The CalChamber supports employers having a policy of providing bereavement leave. The CalChamber opposes AB 2340 because it imposes a rigid bereavement leave mandate.

A private sector mandate in this area is not the appropriate role of government or the correct policy approach and could have unintended negative consequences for reasonable, well-intentioned employers. Bereavement leave should be left to employers to provide on a voluntary basis.

Action Needed

 AB 2340 is scheduled to be considered by the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on April 21.

The CalChamber is urging the business community to write committee members and urge them to oppose AB 2340.

For a sample letter, visit www.calchambervotes.com.

Staff Contact: Kyla Christoffersen