California’s Workplace Know Your Rights Act (SB 294): What Employers Need to Know in 2026

Walk into any break room or administrative office in the California business, and you're sure to find notices informing employees about current workplace protections and employment laws that focus on pay, harassment, and safety issues. But in February of 2026, employers will be required to post a different type of notice, one that ensures workers get clear written information about their rights and, more specifically, allows them to designate an emergency contact in the event that they are arrested or detained while at work.

What Is The Workplace Know Your Rights Act?

The Workplace Know Your Rights Act (WKYRA), passed as Senate Bill 294, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2025, and focuses squarely on ensuring workers get clear, written information about their rights under state and federal law.

The core of the act is a standalone written notice that employers are required to provide to workers on a regular basis. All employers in California, regardless of their size or industry, must provide a required notice to current employees by February 1st, 2026, and the notice must be given to each new hire and to an employee's authorized representative if applicable. This notice can be sent via email, text, or written notice, and documentation that the notices have been given out needs to be kept on file for 3 years.

The notice must include:

• Workers’ compensation rights, including disability benefits and medical care for work-related injuries;

• Rights related to immigration inspections and protections against unfair immigration-related practices;

• Union organizing and concerted activity rights under state and federal law;

• Constitutional rights in interactions with law enforcement at the workplace.

  
  

The notice must also be translated into a language that each individual employee can read and understand. Available translations include Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi.

The Emergency Contact Provision 

Lawmakers understand that some of California's most vulnerable workers, particularly immigrant workers, temporary workers, and those in nontraditional roles, may face added risk during workplace emergencies. This is why the emergency contact provision is such an important part of the Workplace Know Your Rights Act. Employers have until March 30th, 2026, to give their employees the opportunity to designate an emergency contact and document this as part of their employment records. If an employee is detained or arrested while at work, the employer is required to make a good-faith effort to contact this emergency contact and let them know what is happening. This doesn't make the employer responsible for intervening or participating in any investigation; it simply allows someone outside of the workplace to be informed of what is going on.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

According to the CDF Labor Laws, businesses that don't provide the required notices or follow emergency contact procedures could face significant penalties. Fines may reach $500 per employee for general violations. For violations related to emergency contact notification, fines could be as high as $10,000 per employee.

​What This Means for Job Seekers and Employers Using Staffing Agencies

This new law benefits both job seekers and employers. For those looking for work, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act offers transparency and protection. This is especially important for vulnerable workers in short-term, temporary, or contract roles. When job seekers know their rights from the start, they're better equipped to advocate for themselves, ask the right questions, and feel confident in new roles.

​There are thousands of employers across the state that rely on staffing agencies to fill critical roles. If the staffing agency you choose isn't up to date on SB294 or doesn't understand the new compliance roles, it could land your business in trouble. A knowledgeable staffing partner ensures required notices are delivered, onboarding stays current, and records are maintained. This reduces legal exposure and keeps daily operations running smoothly.

How Great Hire Can Help?

Most California businesses want to hire and onboard new employees the right way, by following the rules and creating a workplace where employees feel informed. Working with GreatHire ensures that you not only fill positions quickly with qualified candidates, but that your business is protected, your workforce is supported, and you stay ahead of ever-evolving workplace laws.

Whether you're a job seeker looking to connect with a staffing agency that has a comprehensive understanding of all of California's new laws and regulations, or an employer seeking a trusted partner to help navigate compliance while building a strong team, the right staffing agency makes all the difference.