California's workplace posting requirements change regularly, and 2026 brought several updates that employers need to address. If you have not reviewed your postings since last year, here is what is new and what you need to have in place.
New Minimum Wage Poster
California's statewide minimum wage increased to $16.90 per hour effective January 1, 2026. Employers are required to display the current minimum wage notice, so if you are still using a 2025 version, it needs to be replaced. You can download the current version from the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Updated Paid Sick Leave Posting
The DLSE's Paid Sick Leave posting has been updated effective January 1, 2026. This notice must be displayed in a location where employees can easily read it. Make sure you are using the version marked "as amended effective 1/1/2026."
New Annual Notice Requirement: Workplace Know Your Rights Act
This one catches a lot of employers off guard because it is not just a wall poster. Under the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, California employers are required to provide an annual workplace rights notice to all employees on or before February 1 each year. This notice can be delivered by email, text, or in person, and must be provided in any language regularly used in your workplace. This is a separate obligation from your wall postings, so do not assume that having the right posters up satisfies it.
Core Required Postings for 2026
Every California employer should have the following displayed in a visible location such as a breakroom or common area:
- California Wage Orders applicable to your industry
- EEOC Know Your Rights poster
- Cal/OSHA Safety and Health Protection on the Job notice
- California Family Rights Act notice
- Pregnancy Disability Leave notice
- Current Minimum Wage poster reflecting the $16.90 rate
- Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Paid Family Leave notices
- Workers' Compensation notice
- California Law Prohibits Workplace Discrimination and Harassment poster from the Civil Rights Department
Where to Get the Current Versions
The California Department of Industrial Relations maintains a central Workplace Postings hub where you can access current versions of all required state notices. The Civil Rights Department handles the discrimination and harassment posting, and Cal/OSHA publishes its own safety notice separately.
A Note on Compliance
Failing to display required posters or provide required notices can result in fines, increased agency scrutiny, and exposure if an employee later claims they were not informed of their rights. With the new annual notice requirement now in effect, it is worth doing a full posting audit at the start of each year.
If you are a California employer who wants to make sure your workplace is fully compliant, not just with posting requirements but across your HR practices, I can help. I work with small and growing businesses to build the legal foundation they need to operate without gaps.
Schedule a consultation to find out where your business stands.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.
