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The California Chamber of Commerce has created the Risk Wizard to help you review your human resource policies and practices to assess whether they are in compliance with state and federal labor law requirements.

How It Works

  • First, choose which of 12 key HR areas you wish to review.
  • Depending on the areas you choose, you'll answer a series of yes/no questions about your HR policies and practices.
  • After you've answered all the questions, the Wizard produces a list of clickable links you can use to research potential problem areas and to help implement policies and procedures that comply with labor law requirements.
  • Members of the California Chamber can access all the Risk Wizard results by logging in to HRCalifornia first.
  • Non-members can access some but not all of the Risk Wizard results. To access the full report, non-members are welcome to sign up for a free 7-day trial.

A Cautionary Note

Labor law is complex, and laws and legal interpretations change frequently. We have made every effort to ensure that the HR Risk Wizard is complete and accurate in its recommendations, but your use of this automated tool does not imply or guarantee that your organization will be in full compliance with federal and state labor codes and regulations. We strongly suggest that you consult with legal counsel if you have any questions or uncertainties in this area.

Which areas would you like to review? Remember, if you want, you can work through one section at a time or select "ALL AREAS" to review everything in one sitting.

Because your responsibilities in the area of Discrimination and Harassment are so significant, we strongly recommend you include it in your review in addition to any other individual areas you have selected.

Select ALL AREAS (clicking this option will select all of the other options listed below.)
Benefits
Compensation
Discrimination & Harassment
Health & Safety
Hiring
Labor Relations
Performance & Discipline
Policies
Posters & Notices
Privacy & Record Keeping
Termination
Time Off

Benefits

Yes, I'm sure that we do.
No, we don't, or I'm not sure I know which benefits are required.

Benefits Resources:

Required Benefits Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Benefits, the gateway to HRCalifornia's comprehensive resources on benefits issues and regulations
Yes, we have a good system in place to notify employees of benefits when required by law.
No, we have no system in place to do this, or we are not sure of what's required.

Benefits Resources:

Notice Requirements Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

From the CalChamber Store:

Compensation

  • Minimum wage
  • Overtime
  • Meal breaks
  • Rest breaks
  • Paycheck content and delivery
  • Payroll deductions
  • Alternative workweek schedules (where applicable)
Yes, I'm sure that we have all these areas covered.
No, I'm not certain that we are in full compliance.

Pay and Scheduling Resources:

Pay and Scheduling Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
Yes, I'm sure that we have the correct wage order(s) posted.
No, I'm not sure about this.

Pay and Scheduling Resources:

Wage Orders Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
Yes, we've made this determination, and we're in compliance.
No, either we don't know or we're not sure we're in compliance.

Pay and Scheduling Resources:

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Federal Law, reviews the various aspects of your business covered by the FLSA
  • Who is Covered, explains what wage orders are and what information they cover

Discrimination and Harassment

  • Posting all appropriate notices;
  • Carrying out all mandatory supervisory training;
  • Reviewing employee demographics for under-represented minorities, failure to promote, etc.;
  • Accommodation of disabilities in the workplace;
  • Non-discrimination in hiring, promotion, and termination;
  • Non-discrimination in administering benefits;
  • Non-discrimination in matters of compensation.
Yes, I'm sure that we're in full compliance.
No, either I know that we don't comply or I'm not sure.

Discrimination and Harassment Resources:

Required Policies Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

From the CalChamberStore:


Yes, we have an anti-harassment policy and we apply it consistently.
No, I'm not sure that we do, or I'm not sure that it's consistently applied.

Discrimination and Harassment Resources:

Harassment Training Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

From the CalChamber Store:

  • Protects from retaliation any employee who engages in activities protected by anti-discrimination laws;
  • Protects employees who have engaged in other protected activities such as whistleblowing or union activities.
Yes, we have a strong policy against workplace harassment and we apply it consistently.
No, I'm not sure that we do, or I'm not sure that it's consistently applied.

Discrimination and Harassment Resources:

Whistleblowers Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Retaliation, covers protections for employees or applicants who report illegal activity by an employer
  • California Whistleblower Protection, covers protections for whistleblowers who report their employers to government agencies for alleged violations of state and/or federal laws

Health and Safety

Yes, we have a Cal-OSHA compliant IIPP.
No, I'm not sure that we comply in this area.

Workplace Safety Resources:

Injury and Illness Prevention Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

From the CalChamber Store:

Yes, we are in full compliance.
No, I'm not sure.

Workplace Safety Resources:

Workers' Compensation Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area: From the CalChamber Store:

Hiring

  • Publishing and enforcing policies to prohibit discriminatory treatment of applicants;
  • Training your hiring managers in how to implement the policies;
  • New employee orientation (paperwork, skills training, safety training, sexual harassment training, required benefits information, payroll processing, etc.).
Yes, I'm sure that these are in place.
No, I'm not certain.

Recruiting and Hiring Resources:

Policies and Procedures Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

From the CalChamber Store:

  • Required Notices Kit, many postings and notices apply to applicants and new hires and are required to be available and/or provided at time of hire.
Yes, I'm certain that every position has a current job description.
No, I'm not sure.

Recruiting and Hiring Resources:

Job Descriptions Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
Yes, I'm sure that our exempt/non-exempt classifications are correct.
No, some might need to be reassessed.

Recruiting and Hiring Resources:

Overtime Requirements Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
Yes, we have made sure our contractors fit state and federal requirements for independent contractor status.
No, I'm not certain that they all qualify.

Recruiting and Hiring Resources:

Independent Contractors Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Independent Contractors, important information about using independent contractors with links to additional information
Yes, we are in compliance with these laws.
No, I'm not sure that we comply fully.

Recruiting and Hiring Resources:

Minors Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Minors, covers hiring minors in the workplace
Yes, we comply with all laws that regulate the employment of non-citizens.
No, I'm not sure that we're in compliance.

Recruiting and Hiring Resources:

Verifying Eligibility to Work Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Verifiying Eligibility, information about how to remain in compliance with immigration law and links to detailed information regarding hiring non-US citizens.

Labor Relations

  • Training your hiring managers in how to implement the policies;
  • New employee orientation (paperwork, skills training, safety training, sexual harassment training, required benefits information, payroll processing, etc.).
Yes, we have trained our managers and supervisors.
No, our supervisory staff is not trained in this area.

Unions Resources:

Union Organizing Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Unions, the gateway to HRCalifornia's resources on labor relations issues and regulations
  • NLRB Powers, describes the powers of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to conduct investigations, hold hearings, and enforce the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
  • Representation and Election Process, describes the process for selecting employee representatives
  • Unfair Labor Practice Charges, describes activities forbidden by the NLRA

Performance and Discipline

Yes, this describes our employee performance evaluation process.
No, I'm not sure our procedures fit this description.

Discipline Resources Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Making Disciplinary Decisions, describes the types of disciplinary action and recommends steps to obtain positive outcomes
  • Discipline, the gateway to HRCalifornia's resources on discipline issues and regulations

Policies

  • Does it contain all your company's policies in clear, unambiguous language?
  • Are you certain that your policies comply with the law?
  • Are you certain that you have included all policies that are required by law?
  • Have you given each employee an up-to-date employee handbook and received written acknowledgment that they have received and understood it?
Yes, these statements describe our handbook.
No, we don't fully comply with these items.

Policies Resources

Employee Handbook Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Workplace Policies, the gateway to HRCalifornia's comprehensive resources on workplace policy issues and regulations

From the CalChamberStore:

Posters and Notices

Yes, I'm sure.
No, I'm not certain.

Policies Resources

Required Posters and Notices Resources Recommendation

These resources can help you in this area:

From the CalChamber Store:

  • California Employer Poster, which includes all state and federal posters, available in both English and Spanish
  • Required Notices Kit, the California Chamber's up-to-date package of all required state and federal posters and notices

Privacy and Record Keeping

Yes, I'm sure.
No, I'm not certain.

Privacy and Recordkeeping Resources

Record Keeping Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Records Retention Requirements, explains recordkeeping requirements for personnel records
  • Retaining Records, clarifies the requirements for personnel records, including which records to keep, how long to keep them, and where to store them
Yes, I'm sure that we comply in this area.
No, I'm not sure that we comply with all employee privacy requirements.

Privacy and Recordkeeping Resources

Employee Privacy Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

Termination

Yes, this describes our termination policies and procedures.
No, I'm not sure that we comply in this area.

Termination Policies Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

From the CalChamberStore:

  • State Disability Insurance Pamphlets, state-mandated pamphlets that notifies employees of their right to disability insurance benefits should they sustain a non-work related injury.
  • Unemployment Insurance Pamphlets, state-mandated pamphlets that notifies employees of their right to unemployment insurance benefits when they are terminated, laid off, or granted a leave of absence.

Time Off

  • Mandatory paid sick leave
  • Vacation and paid-time-off (PTO) practices;
  • Mandatory leave such as for pregnancy, military duty, and jury duty;
  • Other days off required by law.
Yes, I'm sure we're in compliance with all these laws.
No, I don't think we do comply, or I'm not sure.

Time Off Resources

Leaves of Absence Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:

From the CalChamber Store:

Yes, we have effective processes to track how leaves interact.
No, I don't think so or I'm not sure.

Time Off Resources

Coordinating Leaves of Absence Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Leave Interactions shows the relationship between various types of state and federally mandated leaves
Yes, we track our compliance in this area, and we monitor employee use.
No, I don't think so.

Time Off Resources

Family/Medical Leave Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
Yes, we are definitely in compliance.
No, I'm not sure that we comply.

Time Off Resources

Pregnancy Disability Leave Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
Either we don't offer makeup time or we do and we offer it consistently.
I'm not sure about this.

Time Off Resources

Makeup Time Recommendation

Use the following HR Library resources to help you in this area:
  • Makeup Time, covers the rules governing makeup time should you decide to allow it

 

Your Information & Responses

 
A Cautionary Note

Labor law is complex, and laws and legal interpretations change frequently. We have made every effort to ensure that the HR Risk Wizard is complete and accurate in its recommendations, but your use of this automated tool does not imply or guarantee that your organization will be in full compliance with federal and state labor codes and regulations. We strongly suggest that you consult with legal counsel if you have any questions or uncertainties in this area.