On July 1, 2025, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) published a new mandatory workplace notice titled: “Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Right to Leave and Accommodations.” This publication stems from AB 2499, which took effect on January 1, 2025, and significantly expanded the rights of employees affected by crime—either directly or through a family member.
What Employers Need to Know
AB 2499 builds on California’s longstanding protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and similar crimes. It broadens the scope of who qualifies as a crime victim, clarifies the types of accommodations that may be required, and enhances leave rights for employees of employers with 25 or more employees.
Now that the CRD’s official notice is available, employers have new distribution obligations:
- Provide the notice to employees:
- Upon hire
- Every year
- Upon request
- Any time an employee notifies you that they or a family member is a crime victim
- Distribute electronically to remote or hybrid workers
The notice is available in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Next Steps for Employers
- Add the notice to your onboarding packet and internal HR library
- Update applicable leave and accommodation policies in your handbook
- Set an annual reminder to distribute the notice
- Ensure HR staff are trained on how to respond to disclosures or requests under AB 2499
Please contact our office if you have questions about compliance or need assistance integrating these updates into your policies and procedures.