“Workplace Know Your Rights Act” DIR Template Notice Now Available

Effective February 1, 2026, all California employers must provide each worker with an annual, stand-alone notice summarizing key labor protections and constitutional rights. See Sign of the Times (October 24, 2025).

The Labor Commissioner posted a template notice available here. Employers must download, distribute annually, and retain related records for three years.

The DIR template notice summarizes key worker protections:

• Protection from retaliation for exercising workplace rights (including filing complaints or asking about legal compliance);
• Immigration-related protections, including notice requirements for I-9 inspections and limits on immigration-related threats or practices;
• The right to designate an emergency contact and request notification if arrested or detained at work;
• The right to organize or engage in protected concerted activity without interference or retaliation;
• Constitutional protections when interacting with law enforcement or immigration agents, including rights related to searches, detention, silence, and recording in public spaces; and
• Contact information for government agencies if rights are violated.

Take Aways:

This is an annual distribution notice, not a posting.  Be sure to download and distribute the template by February 1, 2026 to all current employees and new hires. Use the appropriate translated DIR version for non-English speaking employees.

For further assistance, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin

See also:

• Don’t Miss the Boat – Workplace Policy Handbook & Forms for 2026 (January 2, 2026)
• Find Out What’s New In 2026 – For Happi(er) New Year Annual Virtual Seminar for Employers
• Personnel Records Access – Employee Rights Expanded (November 7, 2025)

Cindy Bamforth
January 9, 2026