Every New Year seems to bring with it many new legal obligations for California employers, and this year is no exception. It is accordingly time for California employers to review their policies and practices to ensure compliance with the new laws that go into effect January 1, 2021. Below is a summary of some of…
On December 22, 2020, the IRS announced the updated mileage rates for 2021 to be used in connection with calculating the costs of operating a personal vehicle.Beginning on January 1, 2021, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be 56 cents per mile driven for…
On December 14, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-84-20 which, among other things, updates the recent Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”) to match California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) and Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) quarantine guidelines. Highlights include: All asymptomatic close contacts (within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of…
Following yesterday’s approval of Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”) that requires employers to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19, employers are now required to immediately take steps in compliance with the ETS to implement a written COVID-19 Prevention Plan and to follow specific protocols to protect the workplace. As expected, Cal/OSHA has released additional guidance…
On November 19, 2020, the California Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board passed an Emergency COVID-19 Prevention Regulation promulgating temporary standards designed to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19. The emergency standards were submitted to the Office of Administrative Law (“OAL”) for approval. Yesterday, on November 30, 2020, the OAL…
On November 19, 2020, the California Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board passed an Emergency COVID-19 Prevention Regulation promulgating temporary standards designed to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19. The emergency standards will be effective immediately if approved by the Office of Administrative Law (“OAL”) by November 30, 2020….
On May 8, 2020, the State of California applauded its citizens for helping to “flatten the curve” amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic and began the journey to recovery, initiating “Stage 2” of reopening the economy. Since then, many businesses and industries have been authorized to reopen, but a resounding question for business owners is, “Can I reopen, and if…
On March 18, 2020, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) which provides for, among other things, emergency paid sick leave for employees who work for an employer that has fewer than 500 employees. Those employers with 500 or more employees were unaffected by the emergency paid…
Today, the Administration released helpful additional guidance for employers and small businesses who are attempting to navigate the challenges of the current coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, the guidance sheds light on the small business relief and assistance authorized by the newly enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the tax credits available…
Paycheck Protection Program (CARES Act) On Friday, March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (HR 748) into law. The new law authorizes a $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at helping individuals and small businesses impacted by the devastating economic effects of the current coronavirus pandemic. The Paycheck…