California is putting substantial new resources behind efforts to educate workers about workplace rights and connect them with government agencies and legal assistance.
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently announced a $34.9 million investment in the California Workplace Outreach Project. The program funds nonprofits, labor unions and other community-based organizations that DIR considers “trusted messengers” for workers who may be reluctant to approach government agencies directly.
The initiative is aimed particularly at workers DIR considers vulnerable or difficult to reach, including undocumented workers, farmworkers and employees with limited English proficiency. Outreach will include workplace trainings, community events, multilingual materials, door-to-door visits, phone banking and legal clinics. The program covers subjects such as wage theft, retaliation, workplace safety and workers’ compensation.
The project began in 2021 as a pandemic-response initiative involving 61 community organizations. It has since grown into a statewide network of more than 100 grantees. DIR reports that the program has reached more than two million workers and employers in 42 languages, including 11 Indigenous languages.
Agriculture is a clear focus. DIR’s program specifically calls for targeted outreach and legal resources in rural areas, particularly for farmworkers. The Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley and Imperial County are among the regions identified for expanded outreach.
According to DIR’s grant recipient list, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. received the largest award at $900,000. CRLA will provide statewide outreach and host rural legal clinics. The Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project received the second-largest award of $780,742 for outreach and rural clinics on the Central Coast.
Other recipients with ties to agriculture or organized labor include the United Farm Workers of America, the UFW Foundation, AgSafe, the California Farmworker Foundation, California Rural Assistance Legal Foundation, Organización en California de Líderes Campesinas, the California Labor Federation and several regional AFL-CIO labor councils.
What it Means for Employers
This is more than a public information campaign. California is funding an extensive network of organizations to meet workers where they live and work, educate them about potential violations and, in some instances, help them prepare complaints, claims or demand letters. More outreach will likely mean more questions, complaints and agency referrals.
The grants don’t create new employer obligations, but they raise the stakes for existing compliance failures. Agricultural employers should use the announcement as a prompt to review wage-and-hour practices, heat illness prevention, meal and rest periods, payroll records, injury reporting and anti-retaliation protections. Employers using farm labor contractors should also confirm that contractor practices are compliant and properly documented.
Supervisors should be reminded that employees may speak with worker organizations, report suspected violations and contact government agencies without retaliation. A poorly handled complaint can turn a correctable workplace issue into a retaliation claim.
California is investing nearly $35 million to make workers more aware of their rights and more comfortable exercising them. Employers should respond with the same level of attention to compliance, supervisor training and prompt resolution of workplace concerns.
Training is Key to Preventing Claims
Western Growers University (WGU) can help employers review existing training programs, identify areas for improvement, and develop customized learning solutions that support workplace compliance objectives.
WGU’s new Learning & Development Manager, Raul Leal, brings extensive experience in workforce development and bilingual training strategy and will be working closely with members to support their learning and development goals. Connect with Raul at [email protected] or (949) 379-3825 ext: 3825