For years and years, farmers have been exempt from the normal overtimes laws. For most employer’s overtime would kick in once an employee worked over 40 hours in a week. Then California changed the rules for overtime to anytime an employee works over 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.
In spite of that, the farmer has been able to allow their employees to work 50 hours a week before any overtime kicks in. In 2020 the farmer will have to pay their employees overtime once the employee has worked eight hours in a day. Farmers with less than 25 employees will get an additional three years to comply, but never the less it is coming to all farmers.
How This Came To Be
Recently, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 1066. As stated above this new law will over time undo the overtime exemptions that farmers have enjoyed for years. This new law will not only affect over time but will also include lunch breaks and other wage and hour requirements.
California Continues Its Movement Away From Being Employer-Friendly
For the last couple of years, there have been many new laws that continue to make it even more difficult for employers to comply with Cal-OSHA Standards and California Labor Laws.
New laws such as AB1513 and the New California Paid Sick Leave Law are putting a very heavy load on employers. CES Today would strongly encourage you to make sure that your employee handbook has been either rewritten or reviewed this year. These new laws that we have just mentioned have a very big impact on your current employee handbook.
Because of these new laws along with the fact that there is going to be more changes we are encouraging employers to join forces with a Cal-OSHA Consulting Firm that can help you with both California Labor Laws and Cal-OSHA STANDARDS. As you look for such a service, I would encourage you to make sure that the consulting firm that you hire know how the laws are being enforced in the field as well as how they are written.