Department of Industrial Relations: ombudsman.

Existing law establishes the Department of Industrial Relations and charges that agency with, among other things, the responsibility to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of California, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment. The work of the department is divided into divisions, among which are the Divisions of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers' Compensation, and Occupational Safety and Health. This bill would authorize the Director of Industrial Relations to appoint an Ombudsman for Small Business to be charged with providing information and assistance to small businesses in California that have difficulties in dealing with complex matters involving the Divisions of Labor Standards Enforcement, Workers' Compensation, and Occupational Safety and Health.