Welcome to Labor & Workforce Development Agency

Secretary Bradshaw’s Welcome Message

Welcome to the Web site of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, the only Agency in state government coordinating labor and employment programs for workers and businesses.

The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, created in 2002, is committed to ensuring that California businesses and employees have a level playing field upon which to compete. Education about your rights and responsibilities under state labor laws is a key factor in leveling the playing field and this Web site, together with its links, should provide you with access to much of the information you may need as a business operator or employee.

Equally vital for a level playing field is fair, impartial and consistent enforcement of the laws. This Agency is firmly committed to ensuring that law-abiding employers and their workers are not victimized by others, who would violate the state’s labor, health, safety and tax laws in order to gain competitive advantage. The Agency is also fully committed to enhancing the skills for California’s workforce and expanding access to the many training and apprenticeship programs that can potentially increase opportunities and income for California workers to help meet business’ rapidly changing technological business systems.

Within the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency are the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, California Business Investment Services, California Economic Strategy Panel, California Employment Development Department, California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, California Workforce Investment Board, Department of Industrial Relations and Employment Training Panel.

These Departments, Boards and Panels offer state disability and unemployment insurance benefits, support workforce training and the state’s apprenticeship programs, enforce and educate the public on labor and occupational safety laws, determine prevailing wages on public works projects, oversee the state’s workers’ compensation program, mediate public sector contract disputes, report California’s monthly employment rate, conduct labor market research, administer union representation elections for farm workers and collect payroll taxes. It is our goal at the Agency that these programs will serve the public at peak efficiency and in accordance with all applicable laws.

Our state, if ranked along with other nations, has one of the largest and most dynamic economies in the world. We are in a leading position in many industries and can potentially claim the lead in many others that provide high paying, stable and rewarding employment for our fellow Californians. Please join us as we embark upon our journey to help create an environment that will assist California’s businesses and workers in building prosperity and satisfaction for themselves while ensuring a future full of opportunity for California’s children – the workers, business owners and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Victoria L. Bradshaw
Secretary