What is the Labor Code 1050 in California?

Asked by: Assunta Zboncak Jr.  |  Last update: February 5, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (1 votes)

California Labor Code 1050 makes it a misdemeanor for any person or company to prevent a former employee from getting new work through misrepresentation, essentially outlawing blacklisting by prohibiting false statements to prospective employers that harm a former employee's ability to find a new job. Employers face penalties, including potential treble damages and criminal charges, for such actions, which can include libel (false written statements) or slander (false oral statements) intended to block re-employment.

What is the Labor Code 1050?

1050. Any person, or agent or officer thereof, who, after having discharged an employee from the service of such person or after an employee has voluntarily left such service, by any misrepresentation prevents or attempts to prevent the former employee from obtaining employment, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

What is the Evidence Code 1050 in California?

California Code, Evidence Code - EVID § 1050

If he claims the privilege, a person has a privilege to refuse to disclose the tenor of his vote at a public election where the voting is by secret ballot unless he voted illegally or he previously made an unprivileged disclosure of the tenor of his vote.

What are California labor codes?

The California Labor Code, more formally known as "the Labor Code", is a collection of civil law statutes for the State of California. The code is made up of statutes which govern the general obligations and rights of persons within the jurisdiction of the State of California.

What is the 7 minute rule in California?

The "California 7-Minute Rule" refers to a federal payroll rounding practice where employee work hours are rounded to the nearest quarter-hour (15 mins) for pay, legal under federal law if neutral, but increasingly scrutinized in California due to court rulings requiring payment for all time worked, like the Troester case, making strict application challenging and requiring employers to avoid systematic underpayment, even for short daily work periods. Essentially, punches within 7 minutes of a quarter-hour (e.g., 8:00-8:07) round down, while 8 minutes or more (e.g., 8:08) rounds up, but California courts demand this neutrality and compensation for all work, making employers wary. 

Blacklisting in California: Labor Code 1050 Explained | Former Employer Bad Reference Laws #lawyer

26 related questions found

What is the 4-hour rule in California?

California's 4-hour law, also known as Reporting Time Pay, requires employers to pay non-exempt employees for at least half their scheduled shift (minimum 2 hours, maximum 4 hours) at their regular rate if they show up but are sent home early due to lack of work, or if they aren't given work after reporting in. It ensures fair compensation for unexpected lost wages, applying when an employee is called in, logs in, or arrives as scheduled but works less than half their shift.
 

Is a 10-minute break mandatory in California?

California 10-minute break law

Employers in California must provide a net 10-minute paid rest period for every four hours worked. For example, an employee who works a seven-hour shift is entitled to two 10-minute rest breaks. One break for the first four hours, and a second break for the last three hours.

Who has to pay $20 an hour in California?

In California, fast-food workers at chains with 60 or more locations nationwide get a minimum of $20 per hour, effective April 1, 2024, under the new AB 1228 law (the Fast Act). This law, which significantly raises the state's general minimum wage, covers employees at major chains like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Subway, though exemptions exist for places like airports, hotels, and some in-store eateries. 

What are illegal things the employer cannot do?

Illegal employer practices include discrimination (race, sex, age, disability, etc.), harassment, wage theft (unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, illegal deductions), retaliation for whistleblowing/complaints, wrongful termination, and interfering with employee rights (like union organizing or discussing working conditions). These actions violate federal laws enforced by agencies like the EEOC and NLRB, covering hiring, firing, pay, benefits, and work environment. 

What is the labor code 1051?

(Labor Code section 1051.) However, an employer cannot require an individual to be photographed or fingerprinted for the use of a third person (with certain exceptions listed below) if the photos or prints might be used in a way that could be harmful to the employee.

What is the 5 year rule in California?

California's 5-year rule generally refers to Code of Civil Procedure § 583.310, mandating that a civil lawsuit must go to trial within five years of filing, or it's automatically dismissed; however, it also applies to workers' compensation, allowing reopening claims within five years of injury if conditions worsen, and in real estate, as part of the "2 out of 5-year" home sale exclusion rules. 

Is yelling at someone assault in California?

Yelling, on its own, does not typically qualify as domestic violence under California Penal Code § 273.5 or related statutes unless it rises to the level of: Threats of imminent harm. Harassment that disturbs someone's peace of mind.

How much does an estate have to be to avoid probate in California?

Small estates with a total gross value of $208,850 or less can avoid probate by filing a small estate affidavit, where no court hearing is required. Other options to avoid probate include living trusts, community property, and designated beneficiaries.

Can a former employer say you were fired in California?

Under California law, employers have a right to provide truthful information about the reason for the termination of their former employees' employment.

Can a domestic violence case be dismissed in California?

A domestic violence case in California can be dismissed or dropped if the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence, the alleged victim recants, or your defense attorney proves the allegations are false or legally flawed.

Can I sue my employer for stress and anxiety in California?

Yes, you can sue your employer in California for stress and anxiety, but only if it stems from specific, severe misconduct like discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or the employer's extreme/outrageous behavior, not just general work pressure; you'll need strong evidence (emails, witness accounts, medical records) and often must first file with an agency like the DFEH for harassment/discrimination, or potentially use Workers' Comp for work-related injuries, proving work was the primary cause. 

What is the 7 minute rule for employees?

The "7-minute labor law" refers to a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guideline allowing employers to round employee time to the nearest quarter hour (15 minutes), where 1-7 minutes late/early is rounded down, and 8-14 minutes past the quarter is rounded up, ensuring that over time, all time worked is paid, preventing systematic underpayment, though some states like California have stricter rules, banning meal period rounding and requiring more precise tracking. 

What are HR trigger words?

HR trigger words are terms that alert Human Resources to potential policy violations, serious workplace issues like harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, or a hostile work environment, and significant risks like lawsuits, high turnover, or burnout, prompting investigation or intervention, while other buzzwords like "quiet quitting" signal cultural trends. Using them signals a serious concern requiring HR's immediate attention for compliance and employee safety, though overly negative or absolute language can also be flagged. 

How much does McDonald's pay an hour in California?

Average McDonald's Crew Member hourly pay in California is approximately $19.42, which is 35% above the national average. Salary estimated from 110 past and present job postings on Indeed.

Is 32 hours considered full-time in California?

In California, 32 hours isn't a universal legal standard for full-time, but it's often considered full-time by employers for benefits, while federal ACA law defines full-time as averaging 30 hours/week for large employers' health insurance mandates, and California's standard is often 32+ hours for various benefits, though many still see 40 hours as the norm; it depends on the employer's policy and specific laws. 

How much is $30 an hour annually in California?

$30 an hour is approximately $62,400 per year for a standard full-time job (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) before taxes, but in California, salaries for $30/hr roles can vary significantly by location, with some cities like Berkeley showing averages around $111k, while general averages might be higher than the base calculation due to California's high cost of living, with median salaries sometimes cited over $100k. 

Does going to the restroom count as a break?

California law and restroom breaks

Workers are entitled to any type of break, including restroom breaks and meal breaks, if they work at least a three-and-a-half-hour shift. Further, all workers are entitled to a 10-minute break every four hours.

Is lunch included in an 8 hour work day?

An 8-hour workday generally refers to paid work time, so it usually does not include an unpaid lunch break; you're typically at work for 9 hours (8 hours work + 1-hour lunch) to complete 8 paid hours, though some companies might offer paid breaks or have shorter shifts where lunch is included, so it depends on your employer's policy and state laws. Federal law doesn't mandate meal breaks but requires short rest breaks (5-20 mins) to be paid, while longer meal breaks (30+ mins) are usually unpaid and separate from work hours. 

Am I entitled to be paid for my lunch break?

Payment for breaks is not a statutory entitlement.