Starting January 1, 2025, a new California law lets employers or union reps ask courts for restraining orders to shield workers from harassment or credible threats of violence on the job. This change aims to close gaps in workplace safety, giving companies a legal path to protect their team—even if employees feel hesitant to file on their own.
However, before an employer can seek one of these restraining orders, they must notify all impacted employees and give them the option to decline having their names included as the as part of the people protected by the restraining orders. This step helps preserve privacy and personal choice, while still giving workplaces another tool to address threats and create a safer environment. Overall, the law strikes a balance between protecting employees and respecting individual preferences about legal actions.
(See Link(s): Code of Civil Procedure section 527.8)