Severity Levels are SafeReq's classification system for compliance findings. Each finding is assigned a severity level that indicates the urgency and legal risk, helping you prioritize fixes and understand what must be addressed before posting.
Critical findings indicate potential California statutory issues to fix before posting. High findings indicate elevated risk under established state law. Medium findings involve federal law or quantitative checks. Low findings are advisories, including best-practice suggestions that are not legal requirements. Informational findings are context notes with no action required.
Action-Oriented: Every severity level tells you exactly what to do–from "MUST FIX" to "FYI ONLY." No guessing, no confusion.
MUST FIX BEFORE POSTING
Findings that indicate a potential violation of California statutes with active enforcement and penalties. These carry the most immediate legal risk.
Legal Risk:
High - Active enforcement, penalties, PAGA exposure
Potential Consequences:
Fines, lawsuits, removal from job boards, regulatory scrutiny
Common Examples:
SHOULD FIX BEFORE POSTING
Findings that indicate elevated legal risk under established California law – protected-class language, misleading pay disclosures, and local-ordinance timing issues.
Legal Risk:
Medium-High - Established law, potential enforcement
Potential Consequences:
Regulatory complaints, discrimination claims, reputational damage
Common Examples:
CONSIDER FIXING
Findings under federal law or quantitative checks – still worth addressing before you publish, and often paired with a matching California finding.
Legal Risk:
Medium - Federal statutes and quantitative checks
Potential Consequences:
Regulatory complaints, discrimination claims, applicant mistrust
Common Examples:
OPTIONAL - NICE TO FIX
Advisories – including best-practice suggestions that are not legal requirements but are widely expected in professional postings.
Legal Risk:
Low - Best-practice and advisory guidance
Potential Consequences:
Impact on applicant perception and expectations
Common Examples:
FYI - NO ACTION REQUIRED
Context notes with no direct legal risk – including findings adjusted downward because a recognized legal exception appears to apply.
Legal Risk:
None - Reference and context only
Potential Consequences:
No action required; review recommended where an exception is cited
Common Examples:
Every SafeReq analysis categorizes findings by severity level, so you know exactly what to fix before posting your job requisition.