Employee Handbook
Let us take care of your employee handbook for your California employees, or use our template based Do-It-Yourself employee handbook to make sure you are in compliance for your English and Spanish-speaking employees.
Why you need an Employee Handbook:
As mentioned in our Better Business Bureau's Pro Tip Video, Employee handbooks are important for many reasons:
- Start new employee relationships on the right foot with clearly communicated expectations.
- Encourages consistency with clear policies and fair treatment for all employees.
- Showcases your company culture, values, and mission statement.
- Protect your company.
Get Started on your Handbook Today!
Do-It-Yourself Employee Handbook
CEA has developed a Sample template in English & Spanish to assist you in creating your own personalized Handbook.
CEA's user-friendly Do-It-Yourself Sample Employee Handbook template was designed especially for California employers. Our handbook template contains all the required components of an employee handbook, plus sample policies to develop a handbook that reflects your company’s operating procedures and culture.
Customized Employee Handbook
Let CEA do the work! Our experienced HR Advisors will work with you to quickly create a customized and compliant California Employee Handbook for your business! Once your handbook is complete, you can request our HR experts to explain any changes to your employees in English & Spanish.
Handbook Updates
Exclusively for CEA Members. CEA publishes a complimentary handbook updates each year around December/January, which you can access above. Our HR advisors can also assist with handbook updates as consultation time.
Download the 2025 Handbook Updates:
Testimonials
Employee Handbook FAQs for California Employers
A: No. California law doesn’t require employers to have an employee handbook. But there are some required policies for California employers. Creating a handbook is also highly recommended because it explains your workplace policies, keeps your team aligned, and can help protect your business in disputes.
Q: How often should we update our employee handbook in California?
A: Review and update your handbook at least once a year. Update it sooner if California employment laws change or if your company policies shift. Regular updates help keep your handbook legally compliant.
Q: Do small businesses in California need an employee handbook?
A: Yes—having a handbook is valuable even if you have just a few employees. It sets clear expectations and helps ensure compliance with California laws, such as harassment prevention requirements for employers with five or more employees.
Q: What policies must be included in a California employee handbook?
A: California employers should include policies on wage and hour compliance, paid sick leave, anti-harassment and discrimination, and other legally required programs such as CFRA and pregnancy disability leave.
A: We do not recommend this. California has some of the most complex and employee-friendly labor laws in the country. A generic template from another state can easily miss required policies or conflict with California regulations.
Q: Do we need handbook policies for remote or hybrid employees in California?
A: Yes. Remote work policies help address timekeeping, expense reimbursement, and meal/rest break compliance—issues that are often overlooked.
Q: How does an employee handbook protect California employers?
A: A well-written, compliant handbook helps show that you’ve clearly communicated workplace policies and followed state requirements—important evidence if disputes or claims arise.