Much like New York's Wage Theft Protection Act (WTPA), California has enacted legislation taking effect this Jan. 1 that mandates employees to notify non-exempt employees of their wage guarantees and protections.

With the same name as its New York counterpart, the Golden State mandate applies to new hires and requires employers to inform these newcomers of the following:

  • Their rate of pay and how it's computed (hourly, weekly, per piece, commission, etc.), along with any withholdings anticipated by the employer
  • The name, address, phone numbers and DBAs of the company that is hiring them
  • The name, address and phone numbers of the company's workers' compensation provider

The notice, which must be signed by the employee and retained by the employer, must be issued in the principal language of the worker. The state has developed templates in many languages for this purpose. Records are to be retained for a minimum of three years.

The law allows aggrieved workers to file directly with the Labor Commissioner for back wages rather than file a lawsuit. It also subjects employers in violation of the law with fines and possible criminal misdemeanor charges.