Los Angeles County, CA Hotels & Lodging: Hotel Worker Retention (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered hotel employers
- 50+ guest rooms or >$5M gross receipts
- Covered commercial employers
- 25+ janitorial, maintenance, or security workers
- Offer deadline for worker
- 10 business days to accept or decline
Summary
Hotel and janitorial employers in unincorporated LA County must offer available positions in writing to laid-off workers who qualify, prioritized by seniority, giving them at least 10 business days to accept or decline.
A.Priority for Laid Off Workers. An Employer shall make the offer to a Laid Off Worker in writing, to the last known mailing address, email, and text message phone number, to the extent the Employer possesses such information, of any position which is or becomes available after this Chapter's effective date for which the Laid Off Worker is qualified. A Laid Off Worker is qualified—and must be offered a position in the order of priority below—if the Laid Off Worker:1.Held the same or similar position at the same site of employment at the time of the Laid Off Worker's most recent separation from active service with the Employer; or2.Is qualified for the position or can be qualified for the position with the same training that would be provided to a new worker hired into that position. If more than one Laid Off Worker is entitled to preference for a position, the Employer shall offer positions to the Laid Off Worker with the greatest Length of Service in Subsections A.1 and then A.2 of this Section with the Employer at the employment site.B.Time Limit. A Laid Off Worker who is offered a position pursuant to this Chapter shall be given no less than ten (10) business days in which to accept or decline the offer.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8.22 (Ord. 2025-0042, originally Ord. 2020-0030) establishes a Right of Recall for laid-off workers at hotels with 50 or more guest rooms (or gross receipts exceeding $5 million) and commercial property employers with 25 or more janitorial, maintenance, or security workers. Under § 8.22.030(A), when a position becomes available the employer must offer it in writing (to last known mailing address, email, and text number) to qualified laid-off workers in priority order: first, workers who held the same or similar position at the same site; second, workers who can be qualified with the same training given to a new hire. Among equally qualified workers, the one with greater length of service takes priority. Workers have at least 10 business days to accept or decline.
Violations & Fines
A laid-off worker may sue in Superior Court for reinstatement rights, actual damages or statutory damages of $1,000 (whichever is greater), and punitive damages for willful violations. The employer pays the worker's attorney fees if the worker prevails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the employer have to contact every former laid-off employee when a job opens?
What if two laid-off workers are equally qualified for the same position?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
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