The Los Angeles employment law attorney at the Leichter Law Firm, APC, Aryeh Leichter, knows on September 30, 2023, the governor signed California Senate Bill 553 (SB 553), which requires almost all California employers to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) by July 1, 2024.
Here is what California employees need to know about WVPP and what it means to their employment.
Most California Employers Must Implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and Training by July 1, 2024
Effective July 1, 2024, California employers must update their existing injury and illness prevention programs to include WVPP in writing, easily accessible to employees, and in compliance with the state’s injury and illness prevention program.
The plan must offer a reporting channel for incidents and threats of violence and establish logs for centrally tracking threats and acts of violence.
Employers will be required to maintain the following records for five years:
- Records of workplace violence hazard identification, evaluation, and correction.
- Workplace violence incident investigations.
- Violent incident logs.
Employers are required to train employees in workplace violence prevention once per year, and all new employees are required to train immediately upon hiring after the law’s effective date.
Training must include:
- The definitions and requirements of the law.
- The WVPP plan and how employees can obtain copies.
- An opportunity for interactive questions and answers with someone knowledgeable about the employer’s plan.
- The violent incident log and how to obtain copies of records.
- How to report workplace violence incidents or concerns without fear of reprisal.
- Workplace violence hazards specific to employees’ jobs, the corrective measures the employer has implemented, how to seek assistance to prevent or respond to violence, and strategies to avoid physical harm.
Employees and their representatives are entitled to records reflecting hazard identification, evaluation and correction, and violent incident logs within 15 days of request.
Which California Companies are Exempt from Creating WVPP?
Employer locations with no public access and fewer than ten employees are exempted, along with healthcare facilities, facilities operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, certain law enforcement agencies, and teleworkers.
Contact Our Employment Law Attorney for Help Today
California employees who have questions about their employers’ compliance with any state or federal employment laws should contact Aryeh Leichter, the Leichter Law Firm, APC founder, and employment law attorney in Los Angeles County, today to discuss the legal remedies that may be available for their unique workplace circumstances, starting with a free consultation by calling (818)-915-6624 or contacting the firm online.