California Wage and Hour Recordkeeping Requirements

Employers in California must conform with these state rules relating to wage and hour recordkeeping requirements.

In California, payroll records must be kept for a minimum of three years at a central location in the state or in the plant or establishment where the employees work.

Employers must keep accurate records of the following:

• employee names, addresses, occupations, and Social Security numbers;
• birth dates of minors;
• time records;
• total wages for the payroll period;
• total hours worked;
• applicable pay rates for the payroll period including the value of board, lodging, and other compensation;
• meal period schedules and split shift intervals; and
• an explanation of piece rate or incentive plans.

Employers must provide current or former employees, within 21 days of a written or oral request, with a copy, at cost, of their payroll records or allow the employee to inspect those records.