Highlights
Impacted Employers:All California employers
Effective Date:Jan. 1, 2026
Summary:California has enacted legislation that expands the scope of records that employees have the right to access in their personnel file.
Next Steps:Review policies, practices and training to ensure compliance with the changes.
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The Details
Background
Under Section 1198.5 of the California Labor Code, employers must grant current and former employees, or their representative, the right to inspect and receive a copy of personnel records maintained by the employer relating to the employee’s performance or to any grievance concerning the employee.
Senate Bill 513
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Senate Bill 513 amends Section 1198.5 to add that personnel records “relating to the employee’s performance” include those that involve education or training.
Further, an employer that maintains education or training records must ensure that those records in the employee’s personnel files include all of the following:
- The name of the employee.
- The name of the training provider.
- The duration and date of the training.
- The core competencies of training, including skills in equipment or software.
- The resulting certification or qualification.
Next Steps
Employers should review policies, practices and training to ensure compliance with the amended law.