workplace wellbeing: rights and local resources

Los Angeles employers with 50 or more staff must now offer paid time for mental health check-ins under a 2025 city ordinance that took effect on January 1.

The rule addresses rising burnout rates among workers in the wellness and creative sectors that define the city. Many employees juggle long commutes along the 405 and extended hours in offices near downtown, where demands from the global juice and fitness economy add pressure. Local data shows stress-related claims filed with the California Division of Workers’ Compensation rose 18 percent in Los Angeles County between 2023 and 2025.

Local resources in place

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health runs a workplace assistance line reachable at 1-800-854-7771, with counselors available for confidential calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Staff at the department’s main site on Wilshire Boulevard can connect callers to short-term counseling or connect them with employer-provided employee assistance programs. A second option sits inside the Santa Monica office of the nonprofit WorkWell LA on 4th Street, where participants pay a sliding-scale fee starting at $25 per session for stress-management groups aimed at office teams.

Both locations accept referrals from union representatives and human-resources departments. The county program also maintains drop-in hours at its downtown hub on Grand Avenue every Tuesday afternoon for employees who prefer in-person meetings over phone support.

Data and next steps

A 2025 survey by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce found that 62 percent of local firms now budget at least $150 per employee annually for wellbeing training. Workers who believe their employer is not complying can file a complaint with the city’s Office of Wage Standards on Spring Street, which has processed 340 cases since the ordinance began.

Employees should first review their company handbook for listed benefits, then call the county line to confirm coverage. Scheduling a single session at WorkWell LA or the county site often qualifies as protected time under the new rule, giving staff a concrete way to address stress without using vacation days.