Are there special rules that apply to small businesses and employers with fewer than 15 employees?

Yes, there are special rules that apply to small businesses and employers with fewer than 15 employees when it comes to employment discrimination law in California. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits employers with five or more employees from discriminating against employees, applicants, former employees, independent contractors, unpaid interns and volunteers on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, marital status, ancestry, military and veteran status, and genetic information. However, employers with fewer than five employees are not subject to the same rules. Additionally, the FEHA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Employers with five or more employees must develop and implement a reasonable accommodation policy and provide reasonable accommodations to employees upon request. However, employers with fewer than five employees are not required to do this. Employers with fewer than 15 employees are also exempt from the FEHA’s mandatory sexual harassment prevention training requirement. Employers with 15 or more employees must provide two hours of classroom or other effective interactive training regarding sexual harassment to all supervisory employees who work in California, within six months of hire or promotion. Overall, small businesses and employers with fewer than 15 employees in California face different laws and regulations when it comes to employment discrimination and must be aware of these rules and exceptions.

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