HR Quick Audit for California Employers
HR Compliance Checklist for Employers
How compliant are your HR practices? Answer 30 quick questions to see where your HR practices are strong and where your business may be exposed to risk. Fill it in online for an instant score, or download the printable PDF.
How to answer and score
Select one option per item, based on how things work today. Your section scores and total are calculated automatically. Yes = 2 points (fully in place) · Unsure = 1 point (partly in place, or not sure) · No = 0 points (not in place).
1
HR Foundation & Documentation
1.2
Your employee handbook has been reviewed within the last year and reflects current California law.
1.4
Your handbook includes required California policies, such as meal and rest breaks, harassment prevention and paid sick leave.
Section score 0 / 10
2
Wage & Hour Compliance
⚠ Highest risk in California
2.1
Every employee is correctly classified as exempt or non-exempt, including meeting California’s minimum salary for exempt roles.
2.6
Final paychecks are issued on time when employees leave, whether they resign or are let go.
Section score 0 / 12
3
Payroll & Tax Compliance
Section score 0 / 10
4
Benefits & Leave Management
4.1
Benefit plans are competitive and are administered correctly, including enrollments, changes and required notices.
4.3
Required California leaves, such as CFRA, pregnancy disability leave and paid sick leave, are tracked accurately.
Section score 0 / 10
5
Risk Management & Workers' Compensation
5.2
Every workplace injury is reported promptly and tracked until the claim is closed.
5.5
You have a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, with employee training and an incident log.
Section score 0 / 10
6
Employee Relations & Training
6.1
Harassment prevention training is current for every California employee and supervisor (required at 5 or more employees).
Section score 0 / 8
Your score
1. HR Foundation & Documentation
0 / 10
2. Wage & Hour Compliance
0 / 12
3. Payroll & Tax Compliance
0 / 10
4. Benefits & Leave Management
0 / 10
5. Risk Management & Workers’ Compensation
0 / 10
6. Employee Relations & Training
0 / 8
Total score
0 / 60
0 of 30 answered ·
Any No in Wage & Hour? Address it quickly, whatever your total score. Wage and hour claims carry some of the steepest penalties in California.
Attention: you answered No to at least one Wage & Hour question. Prioritize fixing it.
What your score means
50–60
Low risk
What this means
Your HR foundation is in good shape. California’s rules change every year, though, so what’s compliant today may not be next year.
What to do next
Resolve any items you marked Unsure, and schedule a review of your HR practices once a year.
35–49
Moderate risk
What this means
You have the basics in place, but gaps like these can lead to wage claims, penalties or employee disputes.
What to do next
Address No and Unsure answers in Wage & Hour and Payroll first, then work through the other sections.
Below 35
High risk
What this means
Several core practices are missing or uncertain, which can expose your business to wage claims, agency penalties and lawsuits.
What to do next
Get expert help soon to review your answers and decide what to fix first, before small issues become costly ones.
Talk through your results with Optimum HR
Book a call with a Business Development Manager. When you book, request to have one of our HR reps join the call to walk through your answers with you. SHRM-certified HR professionals · Under 2-hour average email response · A real person answers when you call.
This audit is a general self-assessment for California employers. It doesn’t cover every requirement that may apply to your business and isn’t legal advice.
