CA Lab Code Section 238.1

(a)

Where an employer is conducting business in violation of Section 238, the Labor Commissioner may issue and serve on that employer a stop order prohibiting the use of employee labor by that employer until the employer’s compliance with Section 238, provided that the stop order would not compromise or imperil public safety or the life, health, and care of vulnerable individuals. The stop order shall also prohibit the employer from continuing to provide services by conducting business using the labor of another business, contractor, or subcontractor. The stop order shall become effective immediately upon the service of the order. Any employee affected by the work stoppage shall be paid by the employer for such time lost, not exceeding 10 days, pending compliance by the employer. The employer may protest the stop order by making and filing with the Labor Commissioner a written request for a hearing within 20 days after service of the stop order. The hearing shall be held within five days from the date of filing the request. The Labor Commissioner shall notify the employer of the time and place of the hearing by mail. At the conclusion of the hearing, the stop order shall be immediately affirmed or dismissed, and within 24 hours thereafter, the Labor Commissioner shall issue and serve on all parties to the hearing by registered or certified mail a written notice of findings, accompanied by written findings. A writ of mandate may be taken from the findings to the appropriate superior court. The writ shall be taken within 45 days after the mailing of the notice of findings accompanied by written findings. The Labor Commissioner may file an action in superior court for injunctive and other appropriate relief to enforce the stop order and shall be entitled to recovery of costs and attorney’s fees if any relief is obtained by the Labor Commissioner.

(b)

Failure of an employer, owner, director, officer, or managing agent of the employer to observe a stop order issued and served upon him or her pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding 60 days or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both. For the purposes of this section, the term “managing agent” has the same meaning as in subdivision (b) of Section 3294 of the Civil Code.

Source: Section 238.1, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=238.­1.­.

Last Updated

Aug. 19, 2023

§ 238.1’s source at ca​.gov