2026 HR Quick Guide for California Employers

Compliance Alert: Updated content in the 2026 edition includes:

• Minimum wage increases for 2026.
• Changes to paid sick leave, victims’ leave and Paid Family Leave.
• New workers’ rights notice and recordkeeping obligations.
• Revisions to California’s pay data reporting requirements.
• Clarification on pay scale disclosures and equal pay requirements.
• Limitations on “stay or pay” agreements with employees.
• Required poster and notice updates.
• Other “New for 2026” content highlighted throughout the book.

HR Quick Guide for California Employers is a streamlined resource covering key California employment law requirements, from hiring to termination, leaves of absence, wage and hour requirements, and more. Plain language and intuitive charts and tables make finding answers to your questions quick and easy.

This guide provides clear, concise and practical HR guidance, step-by-step processes for key HR tasks, and includes over 200 downloadable California-specific forms and checklists.

Although useful for any size company, HR Quick Guide for California Employers is ideal for management or anyone new to HR. Use it to:

• Better understand California and federal employment laws, what they require and how to stay compliant.
• Quickly grasp the requirements of key HR areas, such as hiring, compensation, leaves of absence, workplace safety and termination.
• Confidently respond to and manage HR issues.
• Develop solid HR practices, including for hiring and terminating, paying employees, managing leaves of absence and preventing discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Preorders begin shipping in late-January