UPDATED AS OF 5/15/2020
Look for “NEW” label throughout this post for additions.
Here is a combined list of Coronavirus resources for California employers. We’ll update as we find new ones. In the days to come, we will continue to address on the blog (in general terms) some of the key employment law issues employers are facing. As of now, we have 11 posts on that subject.
IRS and SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PPP / CARES ACT LOAN GUIDANCE
The federal Small Business Administration and the Treasury Department have updated FAQs on the Payroll Protection Program Loans. You can see the most recently updated set here.
The Internal Revenue Service’s COVID-19 Guidance is here.
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
- FAMILIES FIRST CORONA VIRUS RESPONSE ACT “TEMPORARY REGULATIONS” here.
GUIDANCE ON FAMILIES FIRST ACT – See the Guidance here. It includes FAQs and other helpful information.
The pages linked above contain DOL federal guidance about wage and hour matters and COVID-19 in the context of the Families First Act. However, (1) the new regulations will be more legally binding than the “guidance” fact sheets and FAQs; (2) California employers must check whether the federal guidance conflicts with California law. Employers with operations in other states should do the same.
CALIFORNIA WARN GUIDANCE
The Governor previously “suspended” parts of the California WARN Act by executive order (see below for link to Executive Orders). Employers experiencing a WARN event (plant closing, mass layoff or relocation) as defined by the statute still must comply with modified WARN notice requirements.
The California EDD has issued California WARN guidance related to COVID-19 here.
We published an article about COVID-19 and the WARN Acts here.
DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING GUIDANCE
This DFEH handout answers employer questions about sending employees home and other discrimination / harassment related issues. The DFEH is taking the position that employers may send employees home who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, and may inquire as to COVID-19 illness. This pamphlet may provide some comfort, but it’s not a regulation and the DFEH will not defend your company for going to far. See our post regarding the risks associated with such inquiries here.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
The EEOC now has an updated webpage concerning federal anti-discrimination laws (like Title VII and the ADA) and COVID-19. Here.
The EEOC revised its page: “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws” here.
GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS
NEW Reopening Businesses – Guidance here.
Link to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Orders, including state-wide Shelter in Place, etc. here
Updated list of essential services and classification of “stay at home” order here.
Executive Order Implementing New Paid Sick Leave obligation. Here
Labor Workforce Development Agency
Combined Links to Resources for Employers here
Chart of California benefits available for workers and other information here. (Scroll down for the chart!!).
California Chamber of Commerce
Resources for Employers Page
Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID 19 General Website – News Updates from CDC
CDC Interim Guidance for Employers – Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
California Department of Public Health
Daily News Releases from California’s Department of Public Health
OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Workplace Safety Standards
Cal OSHA – Interim Guidance
Federal OSHA – COVID-19 Information Page
California Employment Development Department
Get information about unemployment, disability, paid family leave and other programs administered by EDD – Updated California EDD webpage:
Cal. Division of Labor Standards Enforcement:
FAQ’s on Coronavirus and Laws Enforced by the Labor Commissioner (Including Paid Sick Leave)
San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement
San Francisco enacts yet another paid sick leave ordinance for certain large employers. Information here.
San Francisco employers – No Annual Health Care Security Ordinance and Fair Chance Ordinance Filings Required. See here.
Updated San Francisco Paid Sick Leave guidance as of 3/24/20 here.
LOS ANGELES CITY AND COUNTY
COVID-19 Information for Employers -Face masks required for essential businesses and customers. Here.
LA CITY Supplemental Paid Sick Leave here.
Mayor’s Emergency Orders page here.
NEW LA COUNTY Supplemental Paid Sick Leave here.
NEW – SAN JOSE
NEW – San Jose has a “supplemental paid sick leave ordinance” designed to cover employers not included in the FFCRA federal paid sick leave program. The ordinance is here. FAQs are here
NEW – OAKLAND
NEW – Oakland has joined the supplemental paid sick leave group. The new ordinance, passed 5/7/20, is effective immediately. The ordinance is here.
