AB 1356: Mass Layoffs
The bill would prohibit an employer from ordering a mass layoff, relocation, or termination unless written notice is provide to employees 90 days prior
By Chris Micheli, February 21, 2023 8:27 pm
On February 17, 2023, Assembly Bill 1356 by Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) was introduced regarding relocations, terminations, and mass layoffs. AB 1356 would amend Labor Code Sections 1400.5, 1401, 1402, and 1403.
Section 1 of the bill would amend Labor Code Section 1400.5 to include a definition of “employer” to include a client employer of a labor contractor, as well as a definition of “employee” to include a person employed by a labor contractor and performing labor with the client employer for at least 6 months of the 12 months preceding the date on which notice is required.
Section 2 of the bill would amend Labor Code Section 1401 to prohibit an employer from ordering a mass layoff, relocation, or termination unless 90 days (instead of the current 60 days) before the order a written notice if provide to employees and the state. In addition, the bill would add that an employer is prohibited from utilizing compliance with this chapter in connection with a severance agreement and waiver of an employee’s right to claims.
Section 3 of the bill would amend Labor Code Section 1402 to provide that an employee working with the employer through a labor contractor and affected by a mass layoff is to be compensated for the remainder of the contract or 90 days, whichever is fewer, by the equivalent of the pay and benefits received by the employee during the last month of employment, or the employee’s final rate of compensation, whichever is higher.
In addition, when this compensation is provided as an additional payment from the employer to the labor contractor, the labor contractor must ensure that compensation is provided to the employee and is prohibited from taking an additional markup above the rate charged on the contract prior to the date on which notice is required.
Section 4 of the bill would amend Labor Section 1403 to provide that any general release, waiver of claims, or nondisparagement or nondisclosure agreement that is made a condition of the payment of amounts for which the employer is liable is void as a matter of law and against public policy.
Finally, an employer who is required to give notice is prohibited from offering an employee a separate agreement that includes a general release, waiver of claims, or nondisparagement or nondisclosure agreement, unless the agreement is offered in exchange for reasonable consideration that is in addition to anything of value to which the individual already is entitled. Any agreement in violation of this subdivision would be void as a matter of law and against public policy.
- California Superior Courts in the Code of Civil Procedure - October 12, 2024
- Tenure of California Senate Presidents pro Tempore - October 11, 2024
- Volume of Daily Journal Letters Submitted by Bill Authors – 2024 Update - October 11, 2024
Before you pass this bill remember to lock the gates at all California exits.
The employer exit will be tremendous!
These status seekers do not understand that employed people and employers pay taxes, which in turn pays their paychecks.
Cant fix stupid!
Am I understanding this correctly that this bill is some kind of a Dem attempt to rush in with a fix of what the Dem legislators and state office holders broke in the first place with policies that drove (you might even say FORCED) companies and employers OUT of the State of California to remain viable? As well as a Dem attempt to govern out-of-state behavior of employers, which I don’t think they can ultimately get away with, is none of their business, and won’t work anyway? And is this connected to the tanking of Silicon Valley tech firms with regard to mass layoffs that are currently seeing now? If so, legislators, you need to drop your intrusive babysitting efforts, which, as usual, will only make things worse.
Leftist Democrats like Assemblyman Matt Haney are the reason that employers are laying off employees and fleeing California? He’s another liberal Democrat lawyer who has never run a business and goes from one political position to another. They’re always at the public trough enriching themselves.
Guess this SF Dem is attempting to close the proverbial gate after he chased all the proverbial golden geese away from the state…
#Fool
Keep voting Democrat, California – let’s see just how BADLY they can tank the economy here, while enriching themselves…
(Or mandate election integrity and OPEN, TRANSPARENT voting AND counting and let’s see how many stupid Dems like this one get elected going forward… novel idea, eh??)
Typical California. When a company sees financial trouble coming, they have to keep their workforce until the paperwork is done.
This is how slowing sales become a bankruptcy rather than targeted layoffs. It is also a great incentive to use foreign countries for manufacturing and clerical through a third party.
Lastly, a smart business will send a climate busting PAPER notice out by CO2 generating SNAIL MAIL with every paycheck, just to be in continuing compliance from their not so silent partner: The California Board of Dreams.