California’s Workplace Know Your Rights Act is now in effect!

Senate Bill 294 has been in effect since February 1, 2026.

This new law introduces significant new compliance requirements for ALL California employers. You are now required to provide all employees and new hires with a written “Know Your Rights” notice, and annually thereafter.

The notice covers topics such as labor, immigration and constitutional rights, particularly during interactions with Law Enforcement. You must also establish protocols for notifying your employee’s emergency contacts in the event of an arrest or detention being carried out while at work, as soon as you are made aware of it. The employer is also required to provide this information in languages that are understood by its employees. Failure to comply with these new requirements could result in fines up to $500 per employee for notice violations, and up to $500 per employee per day for emergency contact violations.

For more information and templates, please visit:

English: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Know-Your-Rights-Notice/Know-Your-Rights-Notice-English.pdf

Spanish: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Know-Your-Rights-Notice/Know-Your-Rights-Notice-Spanish.pdf