Employers Must Not Retaliate Against Employees or Applicants for Exercising Rights Under Labor Code

Effective January 1, 2014, California Labor Code Section 98.6 prohibits employers from retaliating or taking adverse action against any employee or applicant because the employee or applicant has exercised rights protected under the Labor Code. Employers who violate this new law are subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. Unless the applicable Labor Code section specifically requires exhaustion, employees or applicants are not required to exhaust administrative remedies prior to bringing a civil action to enforce Labor Code Section 98.6. [AB 263]