California Employment Law Is Changing the Systems Behind Workforce Decisions

California has long been at the forefront of employment law developments that go above and beyond federal law and the laws of other states. While some states have sought to catch up, the developments covered in Seyfarth's 2026 edition of Cal-Peculiarities: How California Employment Law Is Different show the State’s attention is shifting with the times to technology, contractual provisions, data, records, and processes behind employment decisions.

In addition to continuing to be your go-to reference book for all peculiarities – old and new – in California employment law, the new edition examines significant new requirements and risks involving:

California’s evolving rules for artificial intelligence and automated decision systems used in employment;
Restrictions on many “stay-or-pay” and employment-related repayment provisions;
Expanded pay transparency, pay data reporting, and demographic data retention obligations;
New workplace rights and immigration-related notices and procedures;
Additional personnel file requirements for employee education and training records;
Expanded leave and protected activity rights;
Arbitration and PAGA developments;
Workplace violence prevention and indoor heat compliance; and
Cal/OSHA’s increasing focus on systemic, enterprise-wide, and egregious violations.

Together, these developments require employers to look beyond individual policies. For many organizations, compliance will involve coordination among HR, legal, privacy, information technology, procurement, safety, payroll, recruiting, and local operations.

Download the 2026 edition of Cal-Peculiarities: How California Employment Law Is Different for a detailed examination of the laws, regulations, and judicial developments affecting employers doing business in California.

Download the publication: Cal-Peculiarities: How California Employment Law Is Different