Hey California, Did You Know About the Changes to Maintain Personnel Records?

As of January 1, 2022, the requirement for California employers to maintain personnel records will go from two years to four years. See Cal. Gov. Code §12946(a) (effective 1/122). On September 23, 2021, the Governor signed SB 807 lengthening the time for personnel record retention in California. That means the personnel records must be retained four years after the records or files were initially crated or received, and for terminated employees, personnel records must be maintained for at least four years after the date of the employment action taken. California employers should be mindful of other employee record requirements found in the applicable Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Order and under the California Labor Code.