A recently-passed piece of California legislation that will impact employers is the Wage Theft Prevention Act of 2011 (WTPA), which takes effect January 1, 2012. This law adds a new section to the Labor Code and is similar to a law passed in New York this year.

The WTPA requires that employers provide written notice to employees at the time of hiring regarding: 1) rates of pay and the basis for compensation, including whether the rates involve payment per hour, per shift, per day, per week, or by salary, piece, commission, "or otherwise"; 2) any credits or "allowances" taken against the minimum wage (including meal or lodging); 3) the regular pay day; 4) the name of the employer (including "doing business as" names); 5) physical address of main office or principle place of business, and a mailing address, if different; 6) the telephone number of the employer; 7) the name, address, and telephone number of the employer's workers' compensation carrier; and 8) "any other information the Labor Commissioner deems material and necessary."