California Labor Code

§ 243

LAB § 243 Effective Jan 1, 2012Div. 2 · Part 1 · Ch. 1 · Art. 1

Statute text

(a)If, within 10 years of either a conviction for a violation of this article or failing to satisfy a judgment for nonpayment of wages, or of both, it is alleged that an employer on a second occasion has been convicted of again violating this article or is failing to satisfy a judgment for nonpayment of wages, an employee or the employee’s legal representative, an attorney licensed to practice law in this state, may, on behalf of himself or herself and others, bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for a temporary restraining order prohibiting the employer from doing business in this state unless the employer deposits with the court a bond to secure compliance by the employer with this article or to satisfy the judgment for nonpayment of wages.

(b)Upon the filing of an affidavit that, to the satisfaction of the court, shows reasonable proof that an employer, for the second time within 10 years, has been convicted of violating this article or has failed to satisfy a judgment for the nonpayment of wages, or both, the court may grant an order that prohibits the employer within 30 days from conducting any business within the state unless the employer deposits a bond payable to the Labor Commissioner, with the condition that the employer make wage payments in accordance with this article, or that the employer pay any unsatisfied judgment for nonpayment of wages, or both. The court shall order that the bond be on deposit with the Labor Commissioner at all times within a five-year period from the date of the order, that the employer employs more than 10 employees. The court shall order that the bond be in an amount equal to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or 25 percent of the weekly gross payroll of the employer at the time of the posting of the bond, whichever is greater, and that the term of the bond be for the duration of the service of the employee who brought the action, until past due wages have been paid, or until satisfaction of all judgments for nonpayment of wages. The bond shall also be payable for wages, interest on wages and for any damages arising from any violation of orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission, and for any other monetary relief awarded to an employee as a result of a violation of this code. To aid in the enforcement of this section, upon a request by the Labor Commissioner or an employee bringing an action pursuant to this section, the court may additionally require the employer to provide an accounting of assets of the employer, including a list of all bank accounts, accounts receivable, personal property, real property, automobiles or other vehicles, and any other assets, in a form and manner as prescribed by the court. An employer shall provide an amended accounting of assets if ordered by the court to do so. If, within 10 days after a demand for an accounting of assets, which demand may be made by certified or registered mail, the employer shall fail to provide an accounting, or if the employer fails to provide an amended accounting being ordered to do so, the court may take all appropriate action to enforce its order, including the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

(c)For purposes of subdivision (b), an employer shall be deemed to have been convicted of having violated this article or to have failed to satisfy a judgment for the second time within 10 years if, to secure labor or personal services in connection with his or her business, the employer uses the services of an agent, contractor, or subcontractor who is convicted of a violation of this article or fails to satisfy a judgment for wages respecting those employees, or both, but only if the employer had actual knowledge of the person’s failure to pay wages. In issuing a temporary restraining order pursuant to this section, the court, in determining the amount and term of the bond, shall count the agent’s, contractor’s, or subcontractor’s employees as part of the employer’s total workforce. This subdivision shall not apply where a temporary restraining order against the agent, contractor, or subcontractor as an employer has been issued pursuant to subdivision (b).

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Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 655, Sec. 6. (AB 469) Effective January 1, 2012.