Every employer that operates in the state of California is subject to state and federal labor laws and the ordinances of any municipality in which they operate. In addition to governing the working conditions of employees, both state and federal laws require California employers to post notices in the workplace to inform employees of their rights and responsibilities under the law and how to report potential violations. Some notices must be visible to job applicants as well as employees.
CPC’s California All-On-One™ Labor Law Poster contains the most commonly-required California state labor law notices, as well as the most commonly-required federal labor law notices. In this article, we take a closer look at the state notices included on your California All-On-One™ Labor Law Poster so that you know why, where, and for which individuals the poster must be displayed. California employers also are required to post an Industrial Wage Order and to distribute to employees certain notices which are reviewed at the end of this document.
California Minimum Wage
What’s it about?
The California Minimum Wage posting identifies the effective minimum wage rate and meals and lodging credits. The California minimum wage rate is periodically adjusted upward. New minimum wage rates take effect on January 1. The Minimum Wage posting is reissued as minimum wage rates change.
Who must post?
Almost all employers, private and public, must post a copy of the California Minimum Wage Order and keep it posted in a conspicuous location frequented by employees during the hours of the workday.
Where can I review this requirement?
Lab. Code § 1182.13
California Law Prohibits Workplace Discrimination and Harassment
What’s it about?
The Workplace and Discrimination and Harassment notice describes the characteristics that are protected by the law against discrimination and harassment. It also explains the responsibilities and restrictions the law places on employers to ensure employees are free from discriminatory employment practices.
Who must post?
Every employer is required to post in a conspicuous place or places on its premises the Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s (DFEH) Workplace and Discrimination and Harassment notice explaining the law.
Any special considerations?
Employers whose workforce is consists of 10% or more non-English-speaking persons (e.g., Chinese or Spanish speaking) at any facility or establishment must also post the Workplace and Discrimination and Harassment notice in the appropriate foreign language at each such facility or establishment.
Where can I review this requirement?
2 CCR § 11013(d)
Transgender Rights in the Workplace
What’s it about?
California law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression, which includes transgender or gender non-conforming status. This notice describes law’s protection and how that impacts employer practices and access to facilities, such as questions an employer can ask an employee, dress and grooming standards, and access to restrooms.
Who must post?
Every employer with one or more employees, except religious associations and non-profit employers, is required to post the notice regarding transgender rights in a prominent and accessible location in the workplace.
Where can I review this requirement?
Gov. Code § 12950
Family Care and Medical Leave (CFRA Leave) and Pregnancy Disability Leave
What’s it about?
This poster informs employees of their right to take family care and medical leave pursuant to the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of the employee’s child or for the employee’s own serious health condition or that of a child, parent or spouse. Employees disabled by pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition are entitled to take leave for the period of disability.
Who must post?
Every employer covered by the CFRA (50 or more employees) is required to post and keep posted on its premises, in conspicuous places where employees are employed, a notice explaining the Act’s requirements and providing information concerning the procedures for filing complaints. The notice must be posted prominently where it can be readily seen by employees and applicants for employment.
Any special considerations?
Any employer whose workforce at any facility or establishment consists of 10% or more persons who speak a language other than English must post the notice into every language that is spoken by at least 10% of the workforce.
Where can I review this requirement?
2 CCR § 11095
Your Rights and Obligations as a Pregnant Employee
What’s it about?
This notice describes an employer’s obligations toward a pregnant employee including providing reasonable accommodations for medical needs, pregnancy disability leave and a private place to express breast milk. The notice also explains pregnancy disability leave (PDL) rights including job protection during the leave, medical conditions which may necessitate leave, and intermittent leave before and after childbirth.
Who must post?
Every employer with five or more full or part time employees must post this notice on its premises in conspicuous places where employees are employed.
Any special considerations?
Any employer whose workforce at any facility or establishment consists of 10% or more persons whose spoken language is not English must post the notice into every language that is spoken by at least 10% of the workforce.
Where can I review this requirement?
2 CCR § 11049
Notice to Employees – Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (DI), Paid Family Leave (PFL)
What’s it about?
This notice informs employees that they may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave benefits. Each program is briefly explained. The notice also instructs employees how file a claim for benefits under each program.
Who must post?
Employers with one or more employees must register with the Employment Development Department (EDD) and post this notice. The notice must be posted in a prominent location that is easily seen by the employees.
Where can I review this requirement?
22 CCR § 1089-1
Unemp. Ins. Code § 1089
Unemp. Ins. Code § 2706
Healthy Workplaces/Healthy Families Act – Paid Sick Leave
What’s it about?
This notice informs employees of their right to take up to 3 days of paid sick leave per year. The notice explains the paid sick leave accrual rate, carryover and caps on accrual, and the purposes for which leave may be used including self-care and care of a family member.
Who must post?
Every person who employs one or more employees must display in each workplace, in a conspicuous place, a poster which incorporates the paid sick leave provisions specified in the Labor Code, as described in the paid sick leave poster created by the Labor Commissioner.
Where can I review this requirement?
Lab. Code § 247
Notice to Employees – Injuries Caused by Work
What’s it about?
This notice informs employees of the workers’ compensation benefits available to them if they suffer a work-related injury or illness and what to do if they are hurt on the job. Benefits include medical care and wage replacement benefits. Employees must report injuries and illnesses and seek medical attention as provided. Employers must fill in specified contact and insurance carrier information.
Who must post?
All employers with one or more employees must post this notice in a conspicuous location frequented by employees, and where the notice may be easily read by employees during the hours of the workday.
Any special considerations?
Failure to keep this notice conspicuously posted constitutes a misdemeanor and is prima facie evidence of noninsurance.
Where can I review this requirement?
Lab. Code § 3550
Cal/OSHA Job Safety and Health Protection on the Job
What’s it about?
This notice explains employer responsibilities to provide a safe and healthful workplace and employees’ safety and health rights and responsibilities including the right to report unsafe working conditions. Other topics include hazardous substances, Cal/OSHA inspections, and the penalties for violating safety standards. Contact information for Cal/OSHA district and regional offices is provided.
Who must post?
Every employer is required to keep posted at least one CAL/OSHA notice in each establishment in a conspicuous place where notices to employees are customarily posted. “Establishment” means a single physical location where business is conducted or where services or industrial operations are performed. Employers must ensure that the notice is not altered, defaced or covered by other material.
Any special considerations?
Where the employees work in physically dispersed locations, the notice must be posted at each location to which employees report each day. Where employees do not usually work at, or report to, a single establishment, the notice must be posted at the location where the employees carry out their activities.
Where can I review this requirement?
8 CCR § 340
Time Off to Vote
What’s it about?
This notice informs employees that they may take up two hours of paid time off work to vote in a statewide election if they are scheduled to work during polling hours and do not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote.
Who must post?
Every employer is required to post a notice advising employees of the time off to vote law. Employers must post the notice conspicuously at the place of work or where it can be seen as employees come or go to their place of work.
Any special considerations?
Employers must post the employee notice 10 days before every statewide election.
Where can I review this requirement?
Elec. Code § 14001
Whistleblower Protections
What’s it about?
This notice informs employees that they are protected from retaliation for reporting possible violations of a local, state or federal law, regulation or rule, or unsafe working conditions at the workplace, and from retaliation for refusing to participate in an activity in violation of the law. The notice includes the California Attorney General’s whistleblower hotline number.
Who must post?
All employers must prominently display a list of employees’ rights and responsibilities under the whistleblower law.
Any special considerations?
The notice must be displayed in lettering larger than size 14-point type. The Department of Labor Standards Enforcement’s (DLSE) notice, formatted in 14-point type, meets posting requirements. Employers are free to develop their own posting.
Where can I review this requirement?
Lab. Code § 1102.8
Pay Day Notice
What’s it about?
This notice is formatted so that employers can select the regular day of the week and regular pay schedule and fill in the place for payment of wages. Contact information for the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is also provided.
Who must post?
Every employer is required to post the pay day notice conspicuously at the place of work, if practicable, or otherwise where it can be seen by employees as they come or go to their places of work, or at the office or nearest agency for payment kept by the employer.
Where can I review this requirement?
Lab. Code § 207
Emergency Numbers
What’s it about?
This notice allows an employer to fill in and keep posted the telephone numbers for emergency services in the area. Space is provided for the contact numbers of ambulance services, fire-rescue services, area hospitals, a physician and an alternate provider, the police, and Cal/OSHA.
Who must post?
Construction industry employers are required to post the emergency numbers near the job telephone or otherwise make them available to employees where no job site telephone exists.
Where can I review this requirement?
8 CCR § 1512(e)
Does California have any other employer notification requirements?
California employers are also required to:
• post the applicable Industrial Wage Order (IWC) Lab. Code § 1183(d)
• distribute California Sexual Harassment Pamphlet Gov. Code § 12950(b)
• distribute California Workers’ Compensation Time of Hire Pamphlet 8 CCR § 9880
• distribute State Disability Insurance Provisions Booklet Unemp. Ins. Code § 2613(b)
• distribute For Your Benefit Unemployment Insurance Pamphlet 22 CCR § 1089-1 (b)(3)
• distribute California Paid Family Leave Pamphlet Unemp. Ins. Code § 2613(c)