California’s Civil Rights Department has released the new “Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Rights to Leave and Accommodations” pamphlet as required by Assembly Bill (AB) 2499.

Starting January 1, 2025, AB 2499 strengthens protections for employees affected by qualifying acts of violence, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other violent threats or acts. Employers must provide protected leave, reasonable accommodation, and prohibit retaliation against those asserting these rights.

The pamphlet, available in 15 languages, outlines employees’ rights to leave, confidentiality, workplace accommodation, potential wage replacement benefits, and protection from retaliation and discrimination when they or their family members are victims of certain crimes.

Employers must distribute the pamphlet:

• At hire;
• Annually;
• Upon request; and
• When an employee reports being a victim or having affected family members.

Take Aways:

Employers should promptly distribute this pamphlet to all workers and keep workplace policies updated.

For further information, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin.

See also:

• The Pursuit of Peace – Review and Retrain: Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (June 26, 2025)
• Solid Foundations – Workplace Policy Handbook & Forms for 2025 (June 20, 2025)
• Keeping Peace – Workplace Violence Prevention Implementation Deadline is July 1, 2024 (June 20, 2024)

Cindy Bamforth
July 3, 2025