Every Jan. 1, California employers must comply with a raft of new workplace laws, most of which expand protections and benefits for employees.
Though perhaps not as sweeping as in recent years, some of those taking effect in 2025 are uniquely Californian.
• More on California laws: 21 new laws that Californians must start following in 2025
Some will help workers who need time off for their own disability or pregnancy, to care for a sick family member or to recover from a crime or help a family member recover. There’s also new help for freelancers, a ban on certain types of mandatory meetings, a few updates to anti-discrimination laws and two that could help protect employees from workplace violence and stalkers.
In addition, employers won’t be able to use a “digital replica” of a performer’s voice or likeness without the performer’s consent. Nor can they require job applicants to have a driver’s license if they don’t really need to drive for work.
And even though voters in November rejected a ballot measure that would have increased the statewide minimum wage, it’s still going up next year thanks to an annual inflation adjustment.
Here are some of the bigger changes coming to California workplaces next year. Unless stated otherwise, all take effect Jan. 1.
The statewide minimum wage for most California workers will increase to $16.50 from $16 per hour next year, thanks to inflationary adjustments in previous law.
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