Employee Handbook Review Checklist (CA)

Summary

This checklist outlines the main issues for private, nonunionized employers to consider when reviewing employee handbooks (also known as employee manuals) under federal and California law. It also addresses required, strongly recommended, recommended, and optional policies to include in a California employee handbook (for more detail on required, strongly recommended, recommended, and optional policies, see the first bullet point under "Key Handbook Review Issues," below). In California, a properly drafted handbook complies with an employer's notice requirements under state, local and federal law, reduces the risk of employer liability, and places employees on notice of their rights and responsibilities to the employer.