New private right of action will crush small businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFIB in California
Contact: Shawn Lewis (916) 342-9315; [email protected]
Follow: @NFIB_CA and on Facebook
Small Business Reacts to Senate Passage of SB 1300 (Jackson)
New private right of action will crush small businesses
SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 31, 2018 – Following the Senate passage of SB 1300 (Jackson), NFIB’s California State Director John Kabateck issued the following statement on behalf of our over 20,000 dues-paying small business members:
“On behalf of our more than 20,000 NFIB small business members here California, we are deeply troubled by the passage of Senate Bill 1300 this afternoon, as this bill would create a new avenue and incentive to sue a small business for failure to prevent any form of harassment, even when no harassment has occurred. While small business owners take very seriously any harassment in the workplace and want it eradicated, this bill provides no new protections, but rather only serves as a profit opportunity for trial lawyers.
“Under SB 1300, any individual—whether they’re an employee, customer, or member of the public—has a right to sue an employer for any act they deem ‘unwelcome’ even if no violation has occurred. Litigation is costly for any employer, but it can be a game-changer for the small business owner. Since this bill will create a new wave of litigation while providing no new protections for employees, NFIB will continue to strongly oppose SB 1300 as it moves to the Assembly.”
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NFIB is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit www.nfib.com/CA.
