Is It Illegal For Employers To Lie And Trick Someone Into Moving For A Job?

In this state, no one is allowed to lie or give false information to persuade someone to move for work. This rule applies whether the person is moving from one place to another within California, coming from another state to California, or leaving the state for a job.

First, employers cannot lie about the type of work, the nature of the job, or if the job even exists. Second, they can’t make false promises about how long the job will last or how much money the worker will be paid. Third, can’t lie about the living conditions, such as housing or sanitation, related to the job. Finally, employers can’t hide the truth about any strikes, lockouts, or labor disputes that might be happening where the job is.

The key to this protection is that employers must know that the representations are false at the time when employers make the representations to employees or prospective employees. Sometimes circumstances might change after employers offer jobs which might just be an unfortunate turn of events that employers cannot be held financially responsible for, even after people move for jobs while relying on employers’ representations about jobs.

(See Link(s): Labor Code Sections 970)