by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione As you likely know, throughout November, California has been experiencing a steady rise of COVID-19 cases that prompted both state and local governments to impose a new round of restrictions on businesses. Below are summaries of the recent updates from the various state and Northern California agencies. CALIFORNIA State-level COVID-19 restrictions have
SB-1383’S IMPACT ON BUSINESSES
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione On September 17, 2020, Governor Newsom signed SB 1383, expanding the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”). Under the original CFRA, employers with 50 or more employees were required to provide 12 weeks of job-protected leave in any 12-month work period to employees who need time off to care for a family member.
COVID-19 UPDATE: CALIFORNIA AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICY CHANGES
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione As we head into the fall season, government policies regarding management of the pandemic have changed. Here are the updates that could impact businesses: FEDERAL Payroll Tax Holiday: On August 8, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order allowing businesses to defer payment of payroll tax obligations from September 1, 2020 through
COVID-19 UPDATE
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione As COVID-19 cases increase in California, both state and local governments continue to issue new policy directives that employers must be aware of. Here is a summary of the recent updates. California: The state recently issued a playbook for employers intended to clarify the policy and procedures for a safe reopening. Apart
COVID-19 UPDATES AND GUIDANCE TO MANAGING COVID-19 IN THE WORKPLACE
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione On July 13, 2020, the state announced that all counties in California must shut down indoor operation of restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos and museums, and cardrooms. Additionally, counties that have been on the County Monitoring List for three days—a list maintained by the state to
COVID-19: FEDERAL, CALIFORNIA, AND COUNTY UPDATES
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione Federal, state, and county officials have been publishing general guidance for businesses reopening in recent weeks. Here is a summary of the movement occurring at each level: Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidance: Despite the fact that people age 65 or older have been classified as an at-risk age group for
COVID-19 UPDATE: BAY AREA COUNTIES FURTHER EASE RESTRICTIONS, CALIFORNIA PROVIDES NEW GUIDANCE
by Jonathan R. Babione and Alexandra P. Saddik At both the state and local level, restrictions are starting to be eased at a quicker pace. Here are the latest updates: California: The state has added guidance for childcare, day camps, music, film and TV production, professional sports minus live audiences, and schools at https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/. Additionally, the state released more in-depth
THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY ACT
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione On June 5, 2020, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA). The PPPFA is intended to provide employers with more flexibility in how they spend funds borrowed through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Here are the main changes the PPPFA makes to the PPP: Loan Repayment Period: The PPPFA
STATE AND BAY AREA MODIFICATIONS TO COVID-19 ORDERS
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione As local and state officials develop a greater understanding of how COVID-19 is spreading, the Bay Area shelter-in-place orders and California stay-at-home order are being modified. Below is a guide to navigating the updates to these orders: State Stay-At-Home Order: California is now allowing indoor retail, outdoor dining, and places of worship
OSHA REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO INVESTIGATE COVID-19 CASES
by Alexandra P. Saddik and Jonathan R. Babione In new guidance that took effect last week, OSHA expects all employers to comply with the recordkeeping requirements for COVID-19 cases that occur in the workplace. This essentially puts employers in a position of needing to investigate positive COVID-19 cases to ascertain whether the cases are work-related. For a COVID-19 case to
