If you have 25 or more employees, you now must provide new employees with a written notice about the rights of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to take protected time off for medical treatment or legal proceedings. The notice also contains information on victims’ rights to accommodation and protections against discrimination.
As a result of legislation passed last year (AB 2337), this new notice went into effect July 1. The Labor Commissioner developed this form, which can be found in both English and Spanish.
Employers must provide this information to:
- New workers when hired; and
- Current workers upon request.
California Protections
Under California law, all employers must provide victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking with the right to take time off from work to appear in legal proceedings, such as obtaining a restraining order or other court order.
All employers must provide reasonable accommodations for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking who request an accommodation for their safety while working.
Companies with 25 or more workers must also provide these victims with the right to take time off to seek medical treatment for injuries, services from domestic violence shelters, programs or crisis centers, psychological counseling or safety planning.
Furthermore, California’s mandatory paid sick leave law allows employees to use their accrued paid sick leave when they need time off to appear in legal proceedings or for medical treatment. You can learn more about how paid sick leave can be used in The Who, What, When and How of Mandatory Paid Sick Leave in California white paper (members can access the white paper here).
Gail Cecchettini Whaley, CalChamber Employment Law Counsel/Content
CalChamber can learn more about Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Victims’ Leave in the HR Library. Not a member? See how CalChamber can help you.
