California imposes a prevailing wage law on employers who contract to provide services or construction work for public entities on public works projects of more than $1,000 (Labor Code sec. 1771). According to the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), the purpose of prevailing wage laws is to make sure that getting a public works contract is not based on paying lower wage rates than a competitor.

Two state entities are holding a series of public meetings across the state to gather comments about current workers’ compensation issues from employers and other stakeholders. 

The open forum discussions are planned by the state Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). DIR and DWC also seek suggestions for improvements.

DIR Director Christine Baker and DWC Administrative Director Rosa Moran will be among the speakers at the meetings.

Topics of discussion will include:

HR Allen Consulting Services is reminding employers that they must post a summary of job-related injuries and illnesses from 2011 at their place of business by February 1.

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requires employers to display the Cal/OSHA Log 300 Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300A) from February 1 to April 30 for employee review.

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) announced the launch of a new task force to “combat the underground economy.”

The Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF) will be made up of personnel from the Department of Industrial Relations, the Employment Development Department, the Contractor’s State License Board, the Board of Equalization and the Bureau of Automotive Repair. 

The LETF was created to crack down on businesses that do not follow the state’s labor laws — hiring employees off the books and paying them under the table.

According to DIR, businesses that operate underground may violate many laws, including not paying income taxes, unemployment insurance or disability insurance; not carrying workers’ compensation coverage; not paying proper wages; and not registering for required licenses and permits.  

“These underground operations subsequently pay lower overhead costs which give them an unfair competitive advantage over legitimate, law-abiding businesses,” the DIR said in a statement.

The DIR said the LETF was created to