Governor Brown has signed into law a number of significant employment-related bills that will impact California workplaces. Here’s a summary of key laws taking effect on January 1, 2018, along with best practices to get ready -- and ensure compliance. 

The California Labor Commissioner has released a new notice regarding rights under Labor Code sections 230.1 and 230 for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Employers must immediately begin providing the notice to new hires, and to other employees on request. Employers can develop their own notice so long as it is substantially similar in form and content to the Labor Commissioner version. The notice is required under A.B. 2337, which was signed by the Governor last fall. 

On Jan. 1, 2017, San Francisco’s landmark Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO) went into effect for employers with 50 or more employees. It will be phased in for smaller employers on July 1, 2017 (35+) and Jan. 1, 2018 (20+). The PPLO requires employers to pay “Supplemental Compensation” to make up the difference between a covered employee’s regular wages and the partial wage-replacement benefits provided under California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, administered by the Employment Development Department (EDD), when the employee takes leave to bond with a new child.