California Employment Law Changes for 2026 - HR ALERTS
- Regina Dyerly, SHRBP, PHR
- Dec 30, 2025
- 1 min read
California Employment Law Changes for 2026
Effective: January 1, 2026
California has enacted wide-ranging employment law changes for 2026 that significantly impact pay practices, employee classification, privacy, and employment agreements. These changes apply to any employer with one or more California employees, including remote workers, regardless of where the company is headquartered.
Key 2026 California Updates
Pay, Classification, and Transparency (High Priority)
Expanded pay transparency requirements and updates to pay data reporting
Enhanced equal pay remedies
Increased minimum salary for Executive, Administrative, and Professional exemptions to $1,352 per week
Inflation-adjusted minimum pay for exempt computer professionals and certain physicians
Ban on stay-or-pay provisions in employment contracts
Employee Rights and Workplace Protections
Expanded crime victim leave protections
Employee access to education and training records within personnel files
Additional required information in WARN notices
New whistleblower protections for employees of large AI developers
Privacy, Data Security, and Records
New California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) regulations
Revised timelines for employee data breach notifications
Benefits, Payroll, and Disclosures
Updates to reproductive health coverage requirements
Changes to when creditor garnishment withholdings must begin
Required disclosure of financial interests in workers’ compensation-related service providers
CalSavers registration deadline for employers with 1–4 employees (effective December 31, 2025)
Worker Classification and Labor Relations (Targeted Impact)
Changes to independent contractor exemptions for certain occupations
New organizing rights for certain gig workers
What Employers Should Do Now
Employers with California employees should begin reviewing pay practices, exempt classifications, employment agreements, privacy policies, and workforce notices well ahead of 2026 to reduce compliance risk.
Get day-to-day updates on California Employment Law Changes for 2026 visit the Vida HR Knowledge Center (Vida HR Clients Exclusive).
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