Handbookly state guide
California Employee Handbook Requirements: Required Policies, Posters & Notices
What California law actually requires in an employee handbook: required policies with citations, headcount thresholds, and the mandatory poster list — plus the federal baseline every employer owes.
Required at any size in California
These written policies are legally required of every California employer, regardless of headcount. Each row cites the law that creates the requirement.
| Policy | Legal basis | Applies at | What it must cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid sick leave policy | Cal. Lab. Code § 246 (Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act) | all sizes | At least 40 hours / 5 days of paid sick leave per year; accrual, carryover, and use rules must be communicated; wage-theft prevention notice (§ 2810.5) at hire. |
| Lactation accommodation policy | Cal. Lab. Code § 1034 | all sizes | Written lactation-accommodation policy must be distributed to all employees. |
| Meal & rest break policy | Cal. Lab. Code §§ 226.7, 512; IWC Wage Orders | all sizes | Meal and rest break rules with premium-pay consequences for missed breaks. |
| Paid family leave / SDI notice | Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code § 3301 et seq. | all sizes | State disability insurance and paid family leave benefits notice obligations. |
Required above a headcount threshold
These requirements bind only once your California team reaches the stated size. Below the threshold the same policy is a best practice, not a mandate.
| Policy | Legal basis | Applies at | What it must cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harassment, discrimination & retaliation prevention policy | Cal. Gov. Code § 12950.1; 2 CCR § 11023 | 5+ employees | Written policy plus complaint procedure; biennial prevention training for supervisors (and staff) at 5+ employees. |
| Family & medical leave (CFRA) policy | Cal. Gov. Code § 12945.2 | 5+ employees | CFRA leave rights apply at 5+ employees; the handbook should describe eligibility and process. |
The federal baseline
Federal law applies on top of state law, in every state.
| Policy | Legal basis | Applies at | What it must cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal employment opportunity & anti-discrimination policy | Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the ADA (15+ employees); the ADEA (20+) | 15+ employees | Federal discrimination law binds at 15+ employees; a written EEO policy is the standard compliance posture at every size. |
| Pay practices (FLSA) section | Fair Labor Standards Act (recordkeeping & minimum wage/overtime) | all sizes | The FLSA does not mandate a written policy, but pay schedule, classification, and overtime rules belong in every handbook. |
Required posters & notices in California
Posting is a separate legal obligation from having written policies. Download current versions free from each issuing agency.
California Minimum Wage notice
California Department of Industrial Relations
Discrimination and Harassment notice (DFEH-162)
California Civil Rights Department
Paid Sick Leave poster
California Labor Commissioner's Office
Notice to Employees — Injuries Caused by Work (workers' compensation)
California Division of Workers' Compensation
Leave laws to know
California layers CFRA (5+), paid sick leave, paid family leave, and local ordinances on top of federal law; local minimum-wage and sick-leave ordinances may also apply by city.
Get the complete California handbook pack
Answer a few questions and get a complete employee handbook for your California business: every required policy above drafted for your headcount and marked required or best practice, the poster checklist, and an employee acknowledgment form. $249, one time.
Frequently asked questions
Does California require an employee handbook?
No US state requires a handbook document itself — but California does require specific written policies and notices (this page lists 4 that apply at any size, each with its citation), and the handbook is where employers conventionally publish them. A written policy you can point to is also what protects you in a dispute.
Which policies are legally required in California?
Paid sick leave policy (Cal. Lab. Code § 246 (Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act)); Lactation accommodation policy (Cal. Lab. Code § 1034); Meal & rest break policy (Cal. Lab. Code §§ 226.7, 512; IWC Wage Orders); Paid family leave / SDI notice (Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code § 3301 et seq.). Requirements that only bind above a headcount threshold are listed separately on this page. Federal requirements — like EEO under Title VII at 15+ employees — apply on top of California law.
What posters must a California employer display?
California requires: California Minimum Wage notice (California Department of Industrial Relations); Discrimination and Harassment notice (DFEH-162) (California Civil Rights Department); Paid Sick Leave poster (California Labor Commissioner's Office); Notice to Employees — Injuries Caused by Work (workers' compensation) (California Division of Workers' Compensation). Federal posters — the FLSA minimum-wage poster, the EEOC "Know Your Rights" poster, and the OSHA "Job Safety and Health" poster — are required on top of these.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is informational document preparation built from public statutes and agency publications, each linked below. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For a specific dispute or a complex workforce, consult an employment attorney licensed in California.
Sources
Informational document preparation from public statutes and agency publications — not legal advice. Laws change; verify current requirements with the agencies above.