California Expands Employee Access to Their Personnel Records

The Details

Background

Under Section 1198.5 of the California Labor Code, employers must grant current and former employees, or their representative, the right to inspect and receive a copy of personnel records maintained by the employer relating to the employee’s performance or to any grievance concerning the employee. 

Senate Bill 513

Effective Jan.  1, 2026, Senate Bill 513 amends Section 1198.5 to add that personnel records “relating to the employee’s performance” include those that involve education or training.

Further, an employer that maintains education or training records must ensure that those records in the employee’s personnel files include all of the following:

• The name of the employee.
• The name of the training provider.
• The duration and date of the training.
• The core competencies of training, including skills in equipment or software.
• The resulting certification or qualification.

Next Steps

Employers should review policies, practices and training to ensure compliance with the amended law.