Presented by: Andrea Suarez Paris
Recorded live on: November 12, 2025
Duration: 1 hour
Watch the Replay
If you missed the live session, you can now watch the full 2026 California Employment Law Update Webinar below.
This session covers the new 2026 California employment laws and shares practical tips and resources to keep help employers prevent costly technical mistakes.
Download the Slide Deck
All attendees and readers are welcome to access the presentation slides.
The deck includes summaries of each new law, compliance checklists, and key deadlines.
What We Covered
The 2026 employment law updates do not involve major overhauls. Instead, they are smaller but meaningful compliance details that can be costly to employers if they go unnoticed. These are the “small mounds” that can trip employers who are not paying attention.
Below is a summary of what was covered in the webinar.
- Minimum Wage & Exempt Salary Thresholds – State minimum wage increases and salary thresholds.
- Personnel Records Requirements (SB 513) – Maintaining records and employee access rights.
- Employee Notices & Communication Requirements (SB294) – New written notice requirement, delivery methods, and 3-year proof of compliance.
- Emergency Contact & Arrest Notification (SB294) – Employee designations, notifications, and penalties for noncompliance.
- Enforcement & Penalties (SB294) – Labor Commissioner, public prosecutor, civil actions, and attorney fees.
- Paid Family Leave Expansion (SB590) – “Designated persons” coverage starting July 1, 2028.
- Sexual Assault & Related Claims (AB250) – Revival window for claims and practical tips related to sexual harassment training requirements, NDAs in releases, and record keeping.
- Key Deadlines & Compliance Checklist – Minimum wage updates, employee notices, emergency contacts, pay data reports, and EEO-1 reporting.
- Bias Mitigation Training (SB303) – Implicit bias awareness and mitigation strategies.
- AI in Employment & ADS (Automated Decision Systems) – FEHA protections, bias testing, human oversight, and vendor accountability.
- Pay Scale & Equal Pay Law (SB642) – Pay transparency, wage audits, non-binary gender protections, and statute of limitations updates.
- Civil Penalties for Unpaid Judgments (SB261)– Tripled penalties for unpaid wage judgments after 180 days.
- Tip Theft Enforcement (SB648) – Labor Commissioner enforcement and proper handling of gratuities.
- Restraints on Trade & Employment Contracts (AB692)– Prohibition of repayment of training, relocation, visa, or hiring costs; exceptions; private right of action.
- AI & Workplace Policy Recommendations – Updating employee handbooks and preparing for AI-driven HR tools.
Why This Matters
Even small compliance oversights can lead to significant consequences. A missed or incomplete training record, an outdated notice, or an incorrect wage rate can result in penalties, lawsuits, or Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims.
The annual Employment Law Update webinar is designed to help employers and HR professionals prepare for these changes and implement compliance strategies that are practical, proactive, and people-focused.
Next Steps
- Download the 2026 Employment Law Update Slide Deck
- Watch the webinar replay above
- Schedule a consultation to review your employee handbook and prepare for 2026 updates
If you would like my firm to review your 2025–2026 employee handbook or provide a training session for your team, please contact us HERE.