New 2026 Employment Laws Reminder
Happy New Year! 2026 is here, and California employers know what that means — new employment laws just took effect. Here’s a quick reminder of some of this year’s notable changes:
- Updated employment notices, including an updated minimum wage notice and paid sick leave poster, plus a new notice requirement under California’s Workplace Know Your Rights Act.
- Further revisions to victims’ leave and paid sick leave that build on last year’s changes.
- New limitations on certain voluntary employer benefits like monetary bonuses or educational tuition assistance that employers offer to incentivize and keep employees.
- Clarification on pay scale disclosures and equal pay requirements.
- State and local minimum wage updates.
- New local ordinances.
- Updated federal tax reporting considerations under the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.
And that’s not all — additional laws, regulations and court decisions affect other employment areas that employers should know about. CalChamber’s employment law experts have updated HRCalifornia’s library content, forms, checklists, Q&As, local ordinances and other tools and resources for those new laws — which CalChamber members can access. So, grab some coffee and leftover cookies, and look through the HR Library. Flags indicate new 2026 laws or important court rulings that may require changes to your workplace policies or practices.
All employers can read more about these developments in CalChamber’s free “New 2026 Labor and Employment Laws” white paper (members can access here).
Finally, for an in-depth look at these new laws with CalChamber’s employment law experts, register now for CalChamber’s popular 2026 Employment Law Updates seminars. During these virtual, half-day seminars, our employment law experts will provide clear explanations of compliance obligations, and a comprehensive review and discussion of recent state and federal laws, regulations and court cases.
Happy New Year!
James W. Ward, J.D., Employment Law Subject Matter Expert/Legal Writer and Editor, CalChamber
CalChamber members can read more in HRCalifornia Extra’s New 2026 Labor and Employment Laws. Not a member? See how CalChamber can help you.