Employment Agency, Employment Counseling, and Job Listing Services ActJob Listing Services
Section § 1812.515
If you're running a job listing service in California, you need a $10,000 bond for each of your locations. This bond is like an insurance policy that protects job seekers from any wrongdoing or failure to deliver on your part. You have to file a copy of this bond with the Secretary of State. If you don't keep an up-to-date bond and file it properly, you can't run your business legally. If the bond is canceled, the surety company must notify both you and the Secretary of State 30 days in advance. If something goes wrong and claims are made against a deposit instead of a bond, those claims can't exceed what's in the deposit and must be handled within specific timelines. The Secretary of State oversees and enforces these rules and may charge a fee for filing these bonds. Lastly, if you decide to stop running a job listing service, you should notify the Secretary of State so they can manage any remaining security deposits accordingly.
Section § 1812.516
If you are using a job listing service and they plan to charge you any fees, they must provide you with a written contract before you pay anything. This contract outlines important details like the service's name and contact information, the fees they will charge, and a rundown of the services they promise to provide. It also details your job preferences, expected work conditions, and benefits. You have the right to cancel this contract without penalty within three business days. Additionally, if the service doesn’t offer at least three suitable job opportunities within a week, you're entitled to a full refund. If you don't find a job or the job lasts less than 90 days, they must refund any fees over $25 upon request. All agreements should be in one document, and the service should keep copies of the contract.
Section § 1812.517
This law requires job listing services to give their fee schedule and payment terms to jobseekers before any interview. The fees must be clear, posted where everyone can see them, and cannot be more than advertised. Job services can't ask for a confession of judgment, promissory notes, or take part of the jobseeker's future wages to cover fees. Fees should not be a percentage of what the jobseeker earns in a new job. Additionally, job services can't share fees with employers or charge for internal employment opportunities or when assisting someone who has a financial stake in the service.
Section § 1812.518
If a job listing service doesn't provide at least three suitable job opportunities within seven days after a jobseeker signs a contract, the jobseeker is entitled to a full refund and cancellation of any obligations. Job matches must meet specific criteria like job type, location, and salary. If a jobseeker doesn't get a job or the job lasts less than 90 days, they can get everything back except a $25 fee. Refunds must be given within 10 days, or the service owes an extra payment equal to the jobseeker's initial deposit.
Section § 1812.519
This law says that job listing services can't charge job seekers a fee unless they have a real, written job order from an employer. They must tell employers they are a job listing service and must write down all job orders. Employers need to give written permission for job listings, and orders stay valid until filled or canceled. Before advertising, the service must check the job is still open. Job listing services can't refer people to jobs that don't exist, for which they're not qualified, or if permission to list wasn't obtained. They also can't swap job orders with agencies that charge placement fees.
Section § 1812.520
This law lays out rules for job listing services, ensuring they don't use misleading or false advertising when offering their services to job seekers. Each advertisement must include the job listing service's correct name and contact details, like their address or phone number. Job listing services cannot claim to be employment agencies or promise jobs that don't exist. If the position is far from the job listing service's office, they must state the job's location or mention that it's not a local job. Any special job requirements must be described clearly, without using vague terms. Advertised salaries should be based on actual job orders and clearly define any salary ranges or commission-based pay. Lastly, all job listings must keep records of their advertisements for at least one year.
Section § 1812.521
This law section outlines certain responsibilities of job listing services. First, these services are not allowed to help minors get jobs if those jobs violate labor or education laws. Secondly, they must inform jobseekers about any existing labor contracts and if union membership is required at a potential job. Finally, they must tell jobseekers about any strikes or labor issues at a job location and document these issues on the jobseeker's contract or receipt.