(a) Any affected employee, or his or her representative, may file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner concerning the conduct of an election pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 750.5 within 14 days following notice of the outcome of the election. The Labor Commissioner shall investigate the complaint and shall invalidate the election if the commissioner finds that misconduct has occurred that could have affected the outcome of the election. If the election is invalidated, the commissioner shall prohibit the employer from conducting a similar election for a period of 12 months.
(b) Any employer, or representative of an employer, that violates Section 750 or 751.8 shall be subject to a civil penalty as follows:
(1) For any initial violation that is intentionally committed, one hundred dollars ($100) for each affected employee for each violation for each pay period.
(2) For each subsequent violation for the same offense, two hundred dollars ($200) for each violation for each affected employee for each pay period, regardless of whether the initial violation is intentionally committed.
(c) If the Labor Commissioner determines that an employer has failed to comply with paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 750.5, the Labor Commissioner shall order the employer to comply. The order, in appropriate cases, shall include provisions for reinstatement and backpay.
(d) An employer shall not retaliate in any way against an employee for exercising any right pursuant to this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 329, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2004.)