The California
Employer’s Guide

Congrats on your new hire!

This guide covers important onboarding steps and state requirements.
Note, this guide may not be comprehensive and additional steps may be necessary depending on the circumstances.

• Employment Agreement - Provide your employee with an offer letter and/or employment agreement covering specifics about their position, pay, confidentiality obligations, intellectual property assignment, and other protections for your business. We can help prepare this agreement for you as needed.

• W2 Payroll - Set up a W2 payroll service to ensure appropriate tax deductions and employment payments are made when you run payroll. This can be done through an automated digital system like Gusto, or through another services provider.

• Workers Comp - All W2 employers must set up workers comp insurance to cover the employee for any injuries they incur on the job regardless of the type of work. This can often be done through your payroll provider, or through an independent broker.

• Onboarding Forms - You generally must complete the following onboarding forms in connection with any new hire. Your payroll provider may be able to help streamline preparing and filing these:

  • I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification completed

  • W-4 federal and state tax withholding forms completed

  • New Employee(s) Report, Form DE 34, (due 20 days of date of hire)