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.
- End bad employment relationships quickly
- Protect your company
- Showcases your company culture, values, and mission statement.
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.
2025 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 Handbook Updates Below:
Testimonials
Employee Handbook FAQs for California Employers
A: No. California law doesn’t require employers to have an employee handbook. But creating one is 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.