As of January 1, 2025, employers in California must comply with updated labor and employment law obligations—including a new requirement related to whistleblower rights.
The Whistleblower Notice
Under California law, employers must display a notice informing employees of their rights and protections under the state’s whistleblower laws. Assembly Bill 2299, signed into law last summer, directed the California labor commissioner to create and publish a model notice outlining employees’ rights and responsibilities under whistleblower protections.
While employers may use the labor commissioner’s model notice, they can also create their own version, provided it meets specific criteria. The notice must be printed in at least 14-point type and include the state’s whistleblower hotline number: 1-800-952-5225.
The author of AB 2299 emphasized the need for the new requirement to formalize the labor commissioner’s responsibility to develop a model poster, ensuring compliance with existing notice-posting laws. Employers using the model poster provided by the labor commissioner are considered to have met the posting mandate.
California employers should review their workplaces to confirm compliance with this and other notice-posting obligations. Regular audits of posting requirements are strongly recommended to maintain compliance with state labor laws.
Questions About Remote Employees
Unfortunately, the law doesn’t explain how remote employees should receive the notice. However, we know that under Labor Code Section 1207, which became effective January 1, 2022, employers are permitted to share and attach important information with employees via email. Thus, for remote employees, the employer should email the required notices as soon as possible.
