Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) announced that the Governor has signed into law Senate Bill 657, which will assist businesses in being able to better communicate with their employees who are working from home. SB 657 allows businesses with employees working from home or telecommuting to send specific employment-related documents electronically, in addition to having those notices at the place of business.
“The pandemic has shifted the workplace for many, and in this new business climate, many businesses are trying to find new and innovative ways to provide the same services and share the same information with their employees as they did before the pandemic,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “I thank the Governor for signing my bill into law, which will modernize communication methods between employers and employees. SB 657 allows information to be sent electronically, ensuring employees who are working from home or teleworking continue to receive the same information that they would have in the workplace, in addition to the current postings.”
"This new law is good news for California employers who have been forced to rework the way they operate due to COVID-19 shutdowns. We are grateful to Senator Ochoa Bogh for her leadership on this common sense issue. Both employers and employees will benefit from the ease of being able to send and receive required posters and notices electronically," said CalChamber policy advocate Ashley Hoffman.
COVID-19 has disrupted business practices and forced many industries to rework the way they operate in order to accommodate the orders from the state. However, there are certain notifications that employees must receive each year and there is no set way for employers to conduct that business now. SB 657 will fill this gap and ensure that employees are receiving the information that they need.