WORKER PROTECTIONS

Health & Safety Retaliation

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WORKER PROTECTIONS

Health & Safety Retaliation

On November 24, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed an urgency ordinance preventing retaliation for reporting public health violations.
Your employer is PROHIBITED from retaliating or discriminating against you (for example, fire, threaten to fire, cut your hours, demote, suspend, or discipline you) because you complain or provide information to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, any other County departments or designees, non-County agencies or entities about workplace violations of public health laws, rules and regulations.

Download PDF of L.A. County Public Health Retaliation Ordinance

File A Retaliation Complaint

Your employer may be liable for any loss of pay and administrative fines if they have engaged in any of the following forms of retaliation against you:

  • Suspended
  • Fired
  • Disciplined
  • Reduced Hours

If you have experienced retaliation due to your (or your colleague’s) communication with the Department of Public Health, contact us at:

Phone: 800.593.8222

We do not ask or report your immigration status.

mediation get help complaint button

File A Retaliation Complaint

Your employer may be liable for any loss of pay and administrative fines if they have engaged in any of the following forms of retaliation against you:

  • Suspended
  • Fired
  • Disciplined
  • Reduced Hours

If you have experienced retaliation due to your (or your colleague’s) communication with the Department of Public Health, contact us at:

Phone: 800.593.8222

We do not ask or report your immigration status.

mediation get help complaint button
No Employee Retaliation

L.A. County Required Workplace Posting

Every employer shall post, in a conspicuous place at any workplace or jobsite within unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles where any worker works, a notice informing workers of their rights under the Preventing Retaliation for Reporting Public Health Violations ordinance.

Can I only report health violations involving COVID-19?

No, the ordinance covers any potential violations of the County Health and Safety Code, contained in Title 11 of the Los Angeles County Code of Ordinances.

Does the ordinance apply to all of Los Angeles County?

No. The ordinance does not apply in cities with their own health officer, including Long Beach and Pasadena. To make sure the ordinance applies to you, enter the address of where you work on the County Registrar-Recorder’s website. (Follow our guide for step-by-step instructions.) Or you can call DCBA at 800.593.8222.

How DCBA can help you

DCBA can help you understand your rights under the County’s new public health anti-retaliation ordinance, investigate alleged violations of the law by your employer, and help you get your desired resolution.

Facts about the public health anti-retaliation ordinance

When did the ordinance go into effect?

The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance on November 24, 2020, and it became effective that day.

Who is considered a worker under the ordinance?

A worker is any employee who performs any work within the geographic boundaries of the County of Los Angeles, except in cities with their own health officer, such as Long Beach and Pasadena. Independent contractors, volunteers and government employees are excluded from the ordinance.

Who can report a violation under the ordinance?

Employees and third parties, including those who wish to remain anonymous, can report violations.

What is a Public Health Council and why is participating in one protected by this ordinance?

On November 10, 2020 the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) to create the Public Health Councils (PHCs) Program. The intent of the program is to increase compliance with the County’s Health Officer Orders (HOOs) and promote the safety of workers, customers, and the broader community.  The program provides outreach, education and technical assistance to workers in four focus sectors: apparel manufacturing; food manufacturing; warehousing and storage; and restaurants.

A Public Health Council is comprised of workers that provide peer-to-peer education to their co-workers on HOOs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any non-management/supervisorial staff working in four focus sectors can form and participate in a Public Health Council.

Workers participating in a Public Health Council are protected by the anti-retaliation ordinance until the Declaration of Local Health Emergency ratified by the LA County Board of Supervisors on March 4, 2020 is ended.

Two restaurant workers wearing PPE

Facts about the public health anti-retaliation ordinance

When did the ordinance go into effect?

The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance on November 24, 2020, and it became effective that day.

Who is considered a worker under the ordinance?

A worker is any employee who performs any work within the geographic boundaries of the County of Los Angeles, except in cities with their own health officer, such as Long Beach and Pasadena. Independent contractors, volunteers and government employees are excluded from the ordinance.

Who can report a violation under the ordinance?

Employees and third parties, including those who wish to remain anonymous, can report violations.

What is a Public Health Council and why is participating in one protected by this ordinance?

On November 10, 2020 the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) to create the Public Health Councils (PHCs) Program. The intent of the program is to increase compliance with the County’s Health Officer Orders (HOOs) and promote the safety of workers, customers, and the broader community.  The program provides outreach, education and technical assistance to workers in four focus sectors: apparel manufacturing; food manufacturing; warehousing and storage; and restaurants.

A Public Health Council is comprised of workers that provide peer-to-peer education to their co-workers on HOOs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any non-management/supervisorial staff working in four focus sectors can form and participate in a Public Health Council.

Workers participating in a Public Health Council are protected by the anti-retaliation ordinance until the Declaration of Local Health Emergency ratified by the LA County Board of Supervisors on March 4, 2020 is ended.

Two restaurant workers wearing PPE
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