I Want to be Safer and Healthier at Work During the COVID‑19 Pandemic What are my rights to be safer and healthier at work?
- What are my rights to be safer and healthier at work?
- What should my employer provide to prevent the spread?
- What are safer workplace practices?
- What can I do about safety or health concerns at work?
- What if I am concerned about retaliation from my employer?
Worker Protections under California Law
All workers in California, regardless of immigration status, have the right to:
- Protection from safety and health hazards, including COVID-19
- Report an unsafe workplace
- Refuse to work in unsafe conditions
It is illegal for your employer to reduce your hours, fire you or retaliate against you for exercising your labor rights.
Employer Responsibilities under California Law
Employers are required to protect workers from unsafe or unhealthy workplace conditions, such as exposure to COVID-19. This requires employers to:
- Provide workers with face coverings,
- Adjust work processes or procedures to help prevent exposure to COVID-19,
- Develop a written COVID-19 Prevention Program,
- Provide effective training to all workers, and more
Under the law, workers have the right to file a complaint about workplace safety and health hazards and employers cannot retaliate or punish them for doing so.
More Resources
Video: Know Your Rights: Safe and Healthy Workplace in California
January 2021