This year, California’s Legislature passed Senate Bill 863, containing wide-ranging workers’ compensation reform measures. SB 863 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2013. 

Some of its provisions will be effective immediately, requiring changes to notices that explain employee rights and employer obligations. California employers must post a notice explaining employee rights and employer obligations under the state workers’ compensation system and must provide all employees with a workers’ compensation pamphlet at the time of hire.

CalChamber worked with the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) to obtain approved language for the required workers’ compensation notice and pamphlet. CalChamber’s 2013 California and Federal Employment Notices Poster and Workers’ Compensation pamphlet both contain language required by law for January 1, 2013, and approved by the DWC. The 2013 California and Federal Employment Notices Postercontains the 16 state and federal employment notices every California employer must post. 

Although some of the bill’s measures will take effect January 1, other provisions require administrative/regulatory action prior to implementation. 

Author: Gail Cecchettini Whaley

HR Watchdog, HRCalifornia’s Employment Law Blog, © California Chamber of Commerce