Some Benefits Optional, Some Mandatory Nationwide Voluntary COVID-Related Paid Sick Leave: Until its December 31, 2020 expiration, the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) required COVID-19-related emergency paid sick leave and emergency paid family leave for nearly all employers with fewer than 500 on payroll. The FFCRA’s tax rules also created a 100% wash…
Read moreEmployment Legal Essentials and New Workplace Laws Full Day Sessions January 29 and February 28, 2021 For business prosperity in 2021, please take part in our annual “what’s new” labor and employment law seminar, virtual via Zoom this time around. Over the course of the day, Tim Bowles, with help from Cindy Bamforth and…
Read moreFranchisors Bring Federal Lawsuit to Prevent California from Classifying Franchisees as Employees To prevent California from classifying franchisees as employees, the International Franchise Association, along with the Dunkin’ Donuts, Supercuts, and Asian-American Hotel Owners franchisee associations sued California in the San Diego federal court on November 17, 2020. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that federal…
Read moreEmployment Legal Essentials and New Workplace Laws Full Day Sessions – January 29 and February 28, 2021 For business prosperity in 2021, please take part in our annual “what’s new” labor and employment law seminar, virtual via Zoom this time around. Over the course of the day, Tim Bowles, with help from Cindy Bamforth…
Read moreEmployee Handbook & Forms for 2021 Change is a constant, particularly on required and recommended workplace guidelines and protocols. Our 2021 updates include new and revised policies on COVID-19, family-related leaves, independent contractor definition, and much more. Updated Policies for 2021: Workforce pandemic recovery and prevention measures; Paid sick leave benefits under the Families First…
Read moreIRS Mileage Rate Decreasing 1.5 Cents Effective January 1, 2021 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced its 2021 optional standard mileage reimbursement rate for employee business use of a personal vehicle, effective January 1, 2021, down from 57.5 cents to 56 cents/mile. These annual adjustments stem from government survey of fixed and variable automotive operating costs, including insurance,…
Read moreFrom 2016’s Senate Bill (SB) 3, California minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2021 to $13.00 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees and $14.00 for employers with 26 or more. SB 3’s final statewide increase to $15.00 per hour will be in 2022 for larger employers and in 2023 for those…
Read moreCalifornia’s Shifting Sands Shortening of Quarantine Compliance Periods Continually changing COVID-19 quarantine and isolation standards – commonly at variance between federal, state, and local governments — have joined death and taxes as the only certain things in life. The latest Cal/OSHA emergency temporary standards (ETS) (November 30, 2020) specified a 14-day symptom-free employee quarantine after…
Read moreE.E.O.C.’s Expanded Guidelines for Pandemic Management The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has again expanded its pandemic guidelines to address the effect of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other workplace anti-discrimination laws on the national COVID vaccination campaign that now lies ahead. A major “tension” point is between an employee’s right to…
Read moreEmployee Policy Handbook & Forms for 2021 A host of new California workplace laws go into effect on January 1, including expanded standards for COVID-19 protection and reporting, family-related leaves, and much more. As the framework for organization coordination, efficiency and consequent high morale and productivity, an employer’s policy handbook and forms should keep pace…
Read moreIf you are an employer facing possible litigation or have an employee issue on which you need immediate guidance, call us to set up a consultation, or submit your message using our contact form.
