New California Notice of Workplace Rights

California employers of all sizes should prepare for new employee notices rolling out in 2026. While the law took effect on January 1, 2026, employers have until February 1, 2026 to meet specific obligations.

Notice of Workplace Rights

By February 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, employers must provide a stand-alone written notice to all employees outlining key workplace rights. This notice, titled “Know Your Rights”, covers topics including workers’ compensation, immigration rights, labor organizing, and constitutional rights. Employees hired after February 1, 2026 must receive or have this notice available to them at the time of hire.

Distribute the Notice & Recordkeeping

Employers must provide the notice in a language the employee understands if the Labor Commissioner has published a template in that language. If not, English is acceptable. The notice may be distributed using the employer’s standard communication methods such as physical posting, mail, email, or electronic message (ex. Slack, Teams), so long as it can reasonably be expected to reach the employee within one business day.

Employers are required to keep records showing that the notice was provided for three years, including the date of distribution for each employee.

Templates and Resources

Additionally, the California Labor Commissioner provides official notice templates, along with related compliance resources, on their website.

Staying ahead of these requirements now can help employers avoid compliance gaps and ensure clear communication with employees in the year ahead. Contact the Rising Tide HR team if you have any questions or need support. You can count on hearing back from us within 24 hours!