The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has adopted emergency rules related to protecting workers from COVID-19, including a requirement for employers to adopt a written prevention program. The emergency rules take effect immediately.

The minimum wage in the city of San Jose, California will increase to $15.45 per hour on January 1, 2021.

California has announced an increase to the pay rates computer software employees and physicians must receive in order to be exempt from overtime. The minimum salary required for the administrative, professional, and executive overtime exemptions in the state will also increase. These new rates take effect on January 1, 2021.

California has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 973) that establishes a new pay data reporting requirement for certain private employers. The new California pay report largely mirrors the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) now-abandoned pay data reporting requirement.

California has enacted legislation (Assembly Bill 1864) that expands the anti-retaliation protections for employees of businesses that provide consumer financial products or services to residents of the state. Assembly Bill 1864 takes effect January 1, 2021.

California has enacted legislation (Assembly Bill 3369) that exempts employees from the initial sexual harassment training requirement due no later than January 1, 2021 if they received compliant training in the previous two years. Assembly Bill 3369 is effective immediately.

California has enacted legislation (Assembly Bill 2399) that clarifies definitions for the purposes of the military exigency leave that will be covered through the state's paid family leave (PFL) program. Assembly 2399 takes effect January 1, 2021.

California has enacted legislation (Assembly Bill 2017) clarifying the state's kin care law. Assembly Bill 2017 takes effect January 1, 2021.

California has enacted legislation (Assembly Bill 1963) that will add certain human resource employees to the mandatory reporting requirement for child abuse and neglect. Assembly Bill 1963 takes effect January 1, 2021.