HR News You Can Use: 2026 California Labor Laws on Leaves of Absence and Employee Benefits

Описание: Download your free 2026 California Employment Law Guide: https://employers.org/2026-employment...

As we kick off 2026, it’s critical to be aware of new employment laws taking effect. Here are a few notable changes regarding leaves of absence and employee benefits:

● AB 406 clarifies last year’s crime victims’ leave laws. It transfers enforcement authority from the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) over to the Civil Rights Department (CRD) for two unpaid leave provisions, effective January 1, 2026. Those provisions provide leave for employees who are victims (or family members of victims) of specified crimes to attend judicial proceedings.
● AB 406 also amends California’s Paid Sick Leave (PSL) law to clarify that employees may use PSL for all covered purposes of crime victims’ leave, jury duty and witness leave.
● AB 692 covers retention and tuition assistance bonuses. This new law took effect on January 1, 2026, and clarifies that “Stay or Pay Contracts” are no longer allowed, with very few exceptions. An employer is now prohibited from issuing a hiring or retention bonus or tuition-assistance payment that must be repaid if the employee does not remain employed for a specified period.

Stay tuned for the next HR News You Can Use episode, where we'll share guidance on updating your employee handbook to stay in compliance with these new laws.

Need additional support? Download your free 2026 California Employment Law Guide: https://employers.org/2026-employment...

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