California State Laws & Resources for Fully Remote Employees

This page provides essential information regarding key state-specific labor laws, employee rights, and compliance requirements. Our goal is to ensure you have easy access to the necessary documents and information to understand your rights and obligations while working remotely in California.

Tax Withholdings

As a fully remote employee, you are responsible for ensuring the correct amount of federal and state income tax is withheld from your paycheck.

• Federal Income Tax: Complete Form W-4 (IRS) Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate to figure the correct amount of federal income tax to have withheld from your paycheck.

• State Income Tax: As a fully remote employee working in California, you are required to complete Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate (DE 4). This form allows you to select your desired state income tax withholding percentage. If you do not submit this form, your witholdings will be withheld at the default rate.

Please the completed form to the Payroll Office via the secure Payroll Office FileSender.

Leave Policies

• Paid Family Leave Benefits (DE 2511)

• Paid Sick Leave 

• San Diego Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave (Multilingual)

• San Francisco Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave, Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance, Health Care Security Ordinance, Fair Chance Ordinance, Paid Parental Leave, Salary History (Multilingual)

• San Francisco Paid Parental Leave

Workplace Rights & Posters

• Fully Remote Employee Expense Reimbursement Policy Addendum

• Health and Protection on the Job 

• Labor Law Poster English

• Labor Law Poster Spanish

• Minimum Wage

• Notice to Employees - Injuries Caused by Work

• Notice to Employees: Unemployment Insurance/Disability Insurance/Paid Family Leave (DE 1857A)

• Notice to Employees: Disability Insurance/Paid Family Leave (DE 1858)

• San Mateo Minimum Wage (Multilingual)

• Voting Leave

• Whistleblower Rights

• Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Workers Compensation

Worker's Compensation coverage extends to remote employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness while performing their job duties. For an injury to be covered, it must arise out of and in the course of employment. Workers' compensation claims must be reported to the Risk Management Office at 610-758-3899 within one business day of the accident.

• Workers Compensation

• Workers Compensation Spanish

How to Claim Unemployment Insurance Benefits

If you become unemployed through no fault of your own and meet eligibility requirements, you may be able to claim Unemployment Insurance Benefits through the California Employment Development Department website.

• For Your Benefit, California’s Program for the Unemployed (Form DE 2320)

Important Note: This information is a summary and is subject to change. For complete details and the most current regulations, please refer to the official California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) website and consult with Lehigh University's HR and Payroll departments for specific guidance.