Keenan Briefings

Briefing

Workers’ Compensation Benefits Increase Effective January 1, 2026

In November, we released our California P&C Legislative Summary: 2025 End of Session briefing, which included information on SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act. As this law takes effect on February 1, 2026, we want to highlight its requirements and remind you of the upcoming compliance obligations.

Under SB 294 (Labor Code sections 1550–1559), employers must provide a stand-alone notice to all current employees and new hires by February 1, 2026, and annually thereafter. This notice must include information on workers’ rights under state and federal law, including workers’ compensation benefits and contact information for the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), the right to receive notice of inspection by immigration agencies, protection against unfair immigration related practices against a person exercising protected rights, the right to unionize, and constitutional fourth and fifth amendment rights. The employer is required to keep compliance records for three years, including the date each written notice is sent.

To assist with compliance, the California Labor Commissioner has developed the official Workplace Know Your Rights notice, which employers may use to comply with the law. Employers must provide this notice in the language commonly used when communicating with employees, ensuring it is easily understood. The notice is currently available in English and Spanish, with additional languages expected in the future. It can be accessed online at SB 294 Know Your Rights Notice.

Keenan SafeSchools, Keenan SafeColleges and Keenan SafePersonnel offer the opportunity to “assign” this annual notice to employees and to new hires electronically, simplifying recordkeeping compliance. For additional information, please reach out to your Keenan Account Coordinator or Account Manager.

Keenan SafeSchools, Keenan SafeColleges and Keenan SafePersonnel offer the opportunity to “assign” this annual notice to employees and to new hires electronically, simplifying recordkeeping compliance. For additional information, please reach out to your Keenan Account Coordinator or Account Manager.

For any questions about this update or other similar compliance topics, please contact your Keenan account team, who is ready to assist. Clients can also explore additional guidance and resources on P&C Bridge, and all audiences may find further briefings and insights in the Knowledge Center on Keenan’s website at https://www.keenan.com/knowledge-center/news-and-insights/.

Keenan is not a law firm and no opinion, suggestion, or recommendation of the firm or its employees shall constitute legal advice. Clients are advised to consult with their own attorney for a determination of their legal rights, responsibilities, and liabilities, including the interpretation of any statute or regulation, or its application to the clients’ business activities.