PPP Loan Forgiveness Clarified and Expanded The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act) protects small business from COVID-19’s economic impact. Section 1102 of the Act created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help employers keep their workers on payroll. Qualifying PPP loans may be forgiven up to the full principal amount. See also,…
Read moreThe Supreme Court’s “Unexpected” Expansion of Equal Rights for Gay and Transgender Employees The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is America’s foremost protection against employment discrimination (also known as “Title VII”). Yet, for more than five decades, courts have applied this law to preserve such “equal rights” only for some, and decidedly not for homosexual or transgender persons. No…
Read moreCalifornia minimum wages are currently $13.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees and $12.00 for employers with 25 employees or less. On January 1 of each coming year, these will continue to increase one dollar/hour until reaching $15 per hour for the larger employers (26-plus) in 2022 and for the smaller employers…
Read moreNew Employer Restrictions on Hiring Notices and Interviews Starting July 1, 2020 California law prohibits discrimination against applicants and employees for their membership in any protected class, including religious creed, disability and age (40+). The California Fair Employment and Housing Council (FEHC) has issued new regulations effective July 1, 2020, to better protect such individuals. Advertisements. The…
Read moreCOVID-19 Specific Expansions to Our Model Employee Handbook and Forms As California’s workforces return in the pandemic’s wake, we continue to assist employers to plan and implement sound COVID-19 relevant policies and protocols. Best employment practices include a well-written, up-to-date employee policy manual (handbook) and complementary written internal procedures and forms covering all major aspects…
Read moreCalifornia’s Stage Two Phased Reopening Continues While we are not yet out of the woods, state and local government continue to ease restrictions upon life as we at least used to know it. As pandemic pressure has eased and public demands have increased, at least 35 counties have announced their ability to accelerate their transition through “Stage 2”…
Read moreState and Local Governments Now Agree Churches Are Essential Setting aside the vital importance of people’s spiritual ties in times of need, California (echo’ing the feds) had regarded churches “non-essential” from the March 19 start of its safer-at-home orders. As pandemic pressure has eased and public demands have increased, the state has now acknowledged the…
Read moreCalifornia Cities and Counties Expanding Pandemic-Related Benefits In response to COVID-19, a growing number of California cities and counties have issued expanded paid sick leave laws primarily targeting employers exempt from the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). To our knowledge, and as of May 29, 2020: City Covered Employers Effective Date Expiration Date Other resources …
Read moreGovernment Pandemic Defense Monrovia, Liberia April 17, 2020 African Literacy Campaign Pandemic Response As much of the U.S. begins to dig out after months of pandemic-inspired “hibernation,” many of us resume reach to the wider world. My attention returns to Liberia and Sierra Leone and our firm’s support of Applied Scholastics International (APS) and its African…
Read moreCalifornia Wants Uber and Lyft Drivers as Employees It seemed like a good idea at the time: the rapid growth of Uber-style “gig economy” business models ostensibly offering a win-win of worker freedom and consumer convenience. Yet, California government came to another conception of such arrangements: presumed exploitation. Hence enter AB 5 and its hardball…
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