California Job Recall Laws Vex Employers With Pandemic Layoffs

Mandates in several of California’s largest cities that require employers to rehire workers let go during the pandemic can handcuff businesses as they make personnel decisions and reestablish their operations, attorneys said.

San Francisco recently reauthorized its emergency ordinance, keeping in place California’s broadest worker recall law. Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, and Long Beach also have measures in place that require employers to prioritize the reinstatement of laid-off workers in certain sectors hard hit by the continuing coronavirus crisis, such as hotels or companies that operate commercial properties.

The ordinances generally require private employers to comply with the type ...