Who must post the California Prevention of Gender-Based Discrimination Poster?
California businesses in the following personal services industry are required to post the California Prevention of Gender-Based Discrimination Poster:
- Tailors or businesses providing aftermarket clothing alterations
- Barbers and hair salons
- Dry cleaners and laundries providing services to individuals
What is prohibited?
The Gender Tax Repeal Act of 1995 (Cal. Civ. Code sec. 51.6) prohibits a business from discriminating based on a person’s gender for prices of similar or like kind goods and services. However, the Act does not prohibit price differences based on the amount of time, difficulty, or cost of providing the services.
Are there other posting requirements?
These businesses must follow specific posting requirements. The price list must:
- Clearly and completely display pricing for every standard service, which means the 15 most-frequently requested services.
- Use a font 14-point boldface or larger.
- Be posted in an area conspicuous to customers.
The business establishment must also provide a customer with a complete written price list upon request.
What are the consequences for failure to post?
Business establishments may be fined $1,000 for failing to correct within 30 days a violation of any of the requirements after receiving a written notice. The 30-day correction period only applies to posting violations and not to discriminatory pricing violations. In addition, according to Civil Code section 52(a), a business may be liable for any amount determined by a jury or the court.
What other posting responsibilities do barbering and cosmetology businesses have?
- Establishments that provide barbering, cosmetology and electrology services to the public must post the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Message to Consumers.
- All establishments licensed by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology are required to post the California Barbering and Cosmetology Labor Law Poster.