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Lawmakers pressed DIR on vacant‑position eliminations while supporting targeted enforcement staffing increases
Summary
The Department of Industrial Relations defended a statewide vacancy sweep but senators warned eliminating vacant, special‑fund enforcement positions risks worsening wage claim and safety backlogs; DIR separately requested new staff for Cal/OSHA investigations and judgment enforcement to address workplace fatalities and unpaid wage recoveries.
Department of Industrial Relations officials told the subcommittee they carried out a statewide review of vacancies and proposed eliminations under budget control section 4.12 to help build budget resiliency. DIR said the exercise focused on long‑term vacant positions and administrative roles while protecting front‑line enforcement where possible.
Senators expressed repeated concern that removing vacant positions — even if vacant — does not mean they are not needed, citing recruitment and retention challenges in Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s wage‑claim and enforcement units.…
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