Key California Employment Law Updates for 2025
SB 616 – Sick Leave Expansion
California now requires 5 days (40 hours) of paid sick leave, up from 3 days. Employers must update policies, accrual caps, and carryover provisions.
PAGA Reform
New PAGA provisions change penalty calculations and cure provisions. Understanding these changes is critical for mitigating lawsuit exposure.
Minimum Wage Increases
Statewide minimum wage and industry-specific wages (fast food, healthcare) continue to increase, affecting exempt salary thresholds.
Workplace Violence Prevention
SB 553 requires most employers to implement workplace violence prevention plans, training, and incident logs by July 2024.
Why California HR Training Is Essential
California has the most complex employment laws in the United States. The state's employee- friendly regulations go far beyond federal requirements, creating unique compliance challenges:
- Wage and Hour: Strict meal/rest break requirements, daily overtime, split shift premiums
- Leave Laws: CFRA, PDL, paid sick leave, and numerous city-specific ordinances
- Harassment Prevention: Mandatory training requirements for supervisors and all employees
- Pay Transparency: Salary range disclosure requirements in job postings
- PAGA Exposure: Private Attorney General Act allows employees to sue as "private attorneys general"
The Cost of Non-Compliance: California employers face average PAGA settlements of $1.1 million. Even small businesses risk six-figure penalties for common violations like missed meal breaks or incorrect pay stubs.
California HR Course Categories
Wage & Hour Compliance
- • California overtime calculations (daily & weekly)
- • Meal and rest break requirements
- • Exempt vs. non-exempt classification
- • Pay stub compliance
- • Final pay requirements
- • Minimum wage and salary thresholds
California Leave Laws
- • CFRA (California Family Rights Act)
- • PDL (Pregnancy Disability Leave)
- • Paid Sick Leave compliance
- • Kin Care and school activity leave
- • Bereavement leave
- • Local ordinance requirements
Harassment Prevention
- • SB 1343 training requirements
- • Supervisor harassment prevention (2 hours)
- • Employee harassment prevention (1 hour)
- • Abusive conduct training
- • Bystander intervention
- • Documentation and investigation
PAGA & Litigation Prevention
- • Understanding PAGA exposure
- • Audit and compliance procedures
- • Cure provisions and timelines
- • Settlement considerations
- • Record retention requirements
- • Best practices for defense
PHRca Certification & Recertification
The Professional in Human Resources – California (PHRca) is the only HR certification specifically focused on California employment law. It validates your expertise in the state's unique regulatory environment.
RecertifyHR's California courses are HRCI-approved and count toward PHRca, PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification. Earning California-specific credits satisfies your recertification requirements while building expertise in your operating environment.
California HR Courses Available
Our California HR curriculum covers all major compliance areas:
- California Wage & Hour Fundamentals
- Meal & Rest Break Compliance
- CFRA & PDL Administration
- California Paid Sick Leave
- Harassment Prevention for Supervisors
- PAGA Compliance & Prevention
- Pay Transparency Compliance
- California Termination Law
- Worker Classification (AB 5)
- Workplace Violence Prevention
- California Privacy (CCPA/CPRA)
- Pay Equity & Equal Pay
- Cal/OSHA Compliance
- Annual Law Updates (2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is California HR content updated?
Our California courses are reviewed and updated quarterly to reflect new legislation, regulatory guidance, and court decisions. Major law changes (like annual January 1 updates) are incorporated within 30 days.
Do these courses satisfy California harassment prevention training requirements?
Our harassment prevention courses cover the content required by SB 1343, but employers should verify that their specific training provider meets DFEH interactive requirements for mandatory compliance training.
Are these courses approved for PHRca recertification?
Yes, all RecertifyHR California courses are HRCI-approved and count toward PHRca, PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification as Business credits.
Do I need California-specific training if I have employees in California but am based elsewhere?
Yes. If you have any employees working in California (including remote workers), you must comply with California employment law. Our courses are essential for multi-state employers.
How many California HR credits can I earn?
Our 15 California-specific courses provide 19.25 HRCI/SHRM credits. Combined with our full library of 88+ courses, you can easily earn all 60 credits required for recertification.
Protect Your Organization from California Lawsuits
Get instant access to all 15 California courses plus 51 additional courses with our All-Access membership.