Post Correct California Wage Orders
Posting wage notices is more elaborate in California than many employers realize. If someone from the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) shows up to inspect your work site, the inspection quickly will become much longer and more in-depth.
Don't Wait To See the Clipboard
Recently we were providing training at a restaurant client and noticed that a woman with a clipboard entered.
The clipboard was the giveaway. We correctly guessed that the woman was a DLSE inspector and quietly asked the restaurant owner to make sure his posters were up. He apparently had the right materials at the ready to post, but had yet to do so because he didn't like the way they looked.
While he hurried off to post the right notices, the manager showed the inspector to the dining room, and then they made their way to the kitchen where the posters were proudly displayed.
Good thing, too; the inspector could now check off the posters as compliant on her inspection checklist and skip questions that are asked when the right notices aren't up.
In short, if the right posters and wage orders are posted, inspections can be completed faster, without the additional questions that must be asked in instances of noncompliance (e.g., “Where are your payroll and workers' compensation records?”)…and you definitely DON'T want those questions.
Update Industry and Occupation Wage Orders
Companies don't want to be on the DLSE's radar, and posting the right wage order is an easy way to keep a low profile. There are 17 California Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) wage orders, as well as a minimum wage order in California .
The wage orders establish minimum wages and conditions of employment for all employees in the covered industries and occupations, unless an exemption applies. Employers need to find the applicable wage order for their industry, a and they can be found on the IWC's website www.dir.ca.gov/iwc/wageorderindustries.htm
In addition to industry wage orders, there are occupation wage orders. Make sure to select and post the current wage orders, not outdated ones.
Give Notices to Telecommuters
If companies have telecommuters in California, make sure to give them the required posters and wage orders as well. We also recommend doing this when employees travel to California frequently for work.
Posting wage orders and notices on the company's intranet rather than handing them out sounds logical, but at present does not fulfill the requirement, so make sure to post and/or hand out the correct information.
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