The Labor Enforcement Task Force: Friend or Foe?
Does their title alone bring to mind scenes from the Minority Report or Robocop? The Labor Enforcement Task Force may sound like a scary dystopian movie, but these are the “good guys.” LETF is a very helpful coalition of State and Federal agencies working to help protect both businesses and employees alike. Those who have joined forces include:
- Division of Occupational Safety & Health
- Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
- Employment Development Department
- Contractors State Licensing Board
- California Department of Insurance
- Board of Equalization
- Bureau of Automotive Repair
- State Attorney General *
- Alcoholic Beverage Control.
So who is the LETF and what are they doing?
The primary objective of this task force is hunting down those operating a business outside the law. These underground businesses hurt everyone; legal businesses suffer because they lose business to these undercutting firms, and employees lose out on fair pay and protections such as workers comp. Because illegally operating businesses pay no taxes, they create a greater burden on the law abiding citizens of our fair state. Worse, they will pay as little as they can get away with. They do not pay fair wages and employees are left with no benefits and no protection in the case of an injury.
This so called underground economy is of course a widespread problem affecting the entire nation, but in California alone these unscrupulous business owners cost us an estimated $8.4 to $28 billion a year in lost sales tax, income and payroll taxes, and insurance costs.
If you have been convinced by your employer to work for cash under the table, there is probably more going on there that is not legal. You need to seek the assistance of an experienced CA employment lawyer before you’re the one thrown under the bus by them.
Call United Employees Law Group TODAY. We will review your case and let you know right away if we can help. We always work on a contingency basis, so no need to worry; you won’t pay unless they do.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock/Vlad Teodor