California “Know Your Rights” Notice: Important Dates for Employers

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Employers in California will soon be expected to adhere to new employee protections and emergency contact requirements. Although the law took effect on January 1, 2026, specific compliance dates are expected to be met in February and March.

Notice of Workplace Rights, February 1, 2026

By February 1, 2026, employers need to provide employees the required workplace rights notice. This notice will need to be shared with employees annually and must be updated to reflect any new legal developments.

The California Labor Commission provides notice templates in both English and Spanish and additional languages are expected to be made available, soon. If a template is unavailable in an employee’s preferred language, employers can provide a notice in English.

Employers can distribute the notice through personal delivery, email, text message, or any method normally used to communicate employment information.

Employees hired after February 1, 2026, should receive the notice when hired.

Employers need to keep records of having provided the notice for three years. These records must also include the date each notice was provided.

Emergency Contact, March 30, 2026

By March 30, 2026, employers must give employees the opportunity to name an emergency contact and designate if that person should be notified if the employee is arrested or detained while at work.

If any employee indicates they want their employer to reach out to their emergency contact in the case of an arrest or detention, the employer will be obligated to notify the emergency contact. Employees can update their emergency contact information, and their choice to notify at any time.

California employers who may need to add new requirements to their handbook can use Rancho Mesa’s RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal to make the necessary updates. To learn more about additional law updates at the federal and state level, visit the Law Alerts page in the HR portal.