{"id":371781,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-employment-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:21:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T20:21:52","slug":"california-employment-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-employment-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Employment Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n California Employment Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n While the federal government sets the minimum standard for employment protection, including the minimum wage and anti-discrimination laws, states are free to write their own employment laws. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Carol Clasby, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

From job applicant<\/span> to retiree, employment laws<\/span> protect workers from the beginning to the end of their employment. The federal government sets the minimum standard for employee protections<\/span>, including minimum wage<\/span>, workplace safety<\/span>, and anti-discrimination laws. But states are free to write their own, more protective employment laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The state of <\/span>California<\/span> is considered one of the most employee-friendly states in the United States. California<\/span> law is generally more favorable to\u2014and protective of\u2014employees than federal law<\/span>. For this reason, California<\/span> employees<\/span> and employers must know their rights and responsibilities under both federal law<\/span> and state law<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article provides an overview of important employment laws<\/span> in California<\/span>. You can also take a deeper dive into several of these topics by visiting the links below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn About California Employment Laws<\/h2>\n \n
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