Western Banker July/August 2022

Labor & Employment Round-Up The California Legislature considers new labor and employment laws that will further regulate business operations in the Golden State By Melanie Cuevas, Vice President of Government Relations, California Bankers Association

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workplace absenteeism, and a significant expansion of pay equity data reporting. The legislature must complete its work on August 31, sending measures to the Governor for signature or veto. Most measures, unless otherwise specified, that become law take effect on January 1. Outlined below are the top workplace-related measures that the business community is tracking and that CBA has advocated on alongside our business trade association advocacy colleagues. Protections for Workplace Absenteeism SB 1044 (Durazo) – This measure protects employees who leave or refuse to report to work because the employee feels unsafe, regardless of existing health and safety stan dards or protections, by prohibiting employers from

t is said that banks succeed when our communities succeed and, likewise, they suffer when our communi ties suffer. That sentiment similarly carries over into the realm of policy – labor and employment-related leg islation proposed by California lawmakers impacting the broader business community not only will force changes upon banks as employers, the changes also impact banks’ customers and the state’s business climate. California employers, already accustomed to navigating the state’s rigorous employment obligations, must keep track of new changes approved by the California legis lature each year. While we have already seen the defeat of several problematic proposals, lawmakers continue to consider several employment-related measures, among them are proposals for a four-day workweek, excusing

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