Deputizing Workers to Sue Bosses Now in Play Beyond California

The pandemic has jump-started efforts to expand California’s unique workplace litigation model beyond its borders, with backers citing employee rights and new state revenue streams, and businesses decrying the increased risk of being sued for alleged labor law violations.

Democratic-led lawmakers in New York, Connecticut, Maine, and New Jersey want to mimic California’s Private Attorneys General Act. The law “deputizes” employees to pursue civil penalties on behalf of the state against their companies for things like failing to pay overtime and provide rest breaks while avoiding mandatory arbitration agreements that would otherwise prevent their claims from going to court.

The ...