New Workplace Laws for 2023

As easy as it seems sometimes for bad bosses to cheat, rob, harass, and discriminate against their employees, California workers could be forgiven for forgetting just how good they have it compared to workers in other states. 

California is recognized throughout the country as one of the most protective and generous legal systems to its workers, and that’s generally true. An employer who tries to pick his workers’ pockets through off-the-clock work, who tries to pay women less than men, or who saves the best sales opportunities for salespeople in a preferred race or religion…well, California courts don’t have much patience for those employers. If they’re caught, they can expect to pay heavily for their dishonesty. 



Of course, to hold their bosses accountable, workers need to know their rights and the laws that protect them from abuse. Here are some of the new laws going into effect in 2023 that employees should know to ensure their paychecks are full and their workplaces are fair. 

Paycheck Fairness

Paid Leave to Care for “Designated Persons”

The California Family Rights Acts, or CFRA, has provided job protection for qualified workers who need time off to take care of sick family members. Assembly Bill (AB) 1041, which became law on January 1, allows workers to use available paid sick leave to take care of a “designated person” who is not necessarily a relative or someone in a family relationship. Anyone who has a beloved friend who is not a blood relation but needs assistance can take time off with sick pay to help that friend in their time of need. 

Bereavement Leave

AB 1949 expands current protections for workers who have lost a family member to ensure at least five days of leave. In fact, it makes it unlawful for an employer to refuse leave to a qualified employee. The leave can be paid, if the employer’s policy allows it, or it can be unpaid. And the five days do not have to be taken consecutively. 

Emergency Safety Reporting

Labor Code section 6310 protects the right of workers to report health and safety problems at their workplace without fear of retaliation from their employer. Senate Bill (SB) 1044 became law on January 1 and expands those protections to guarantee the right of workers to leave or refuse to enter workplaces that they reasonably believe have become unsafe without facing retaliation. The law also forbids employers from stopping workers from using telephones to contact emergency services to report dangerous conditions or contact their loved ones to report that they are safe.

Reproductive Health Decisions

The Contraceptive Equity Act extends protection under the Fair Employment and Housing Act, or FEHA, to prohibit discrimination against workers based on their reproductive choices. That means your employer can’t discriminate against you on the basis of whether you choose to use birth control drugs or devices. In fact, the law makes it illegal for your employer or potential employer to inquire about your reproductive health choices.

How You Can Further Protect Your Rights at Work

These are just some of the newest laws created by the California legislature to make sure that workers are treated fairly, paid appropriately, and have basic dignity on the job. There are many others meant to protect your wages and rights. 

If you feel that your boss is mistreating you, there may be a law to prevent it. But to protect your rights, you need to keep records and demonstrate how you’ve been wronged. 

Our attorneys at Employee Law Group recommend you take the following steps to protect your interests if you think you’re being cheated, harassed, or discriminated against: 

• Keep records. Anytime you feel you’ve been abused, note the day and time and identify any witnesses. What was said? What do you think was the legal right that was violated? 
• Note comparable situations. Are you being treated differently from your coworkers? Are you punished for behaviors that others get away with? Are workers of certain races or religions given better treatment than others? 
• Identify moments where things changed. Did something change suddenly? Did you tell your boss you’re pregnant, and suddenly you are being told you’re not doing your job well? Did you have a recent medical diagnosis that will mean a lot of time off for doctor appointments? Did you ask for a religious holiday off? 
• Put things in writing. A lot of employers are savvy enough to know they shouldn’t put certain things in writing, so they will only say legally harmful things face-to-face or over the phone. So, you should memorialize those conversations in writing — send an email saying you have a problem with what was said. You need to create a paper record to defend your rights. 

An Employment Attorney Can Help if You Have a Case Against Your Employer

Not every bad work situation is unlawful, and not every abusive boss is breaking the law. But if you follow the directions above and collect information, an experienced employment attorney should be able to tell you if you have a potential case against your employer. 

Our attorneys at Employee Law Group have decades of experience working with people like you who feel they’ve been mistreated at work. We’ve helped recover millions of dollars in unpaid wages, fought to defend workers who’ve been abused and mistreated, and held bad bosses accountable for unlawful discrimination. 

Reach out to Employee Law Group, and we can review your facts in a cost-free consultation and let you know how best we can help turn around your workplace situation. Call us at 

310-407-7358, or reach out online anytime to let us know more about your circumstances.