On March 20, 2020, the Department of Treasury, IRS, and Department of Labor announced plans to provide some relief for small and midsize employers in light of the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Specifically, it was announced that employers will have access to refundable payroll tax credits designed to provide reimbursement for the

As our earlier post on March 19, 2020 announced, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 ordering all residents to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors as defined by the federal Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

On March 19, 2020 Governor Newsom issued a state-wide stay at home Order that will remain in place until further notice. To view or download a copy of Executive Order 33-20, click here. The Order directs all residents in the State of California to stay home unless necessary to maintain the continuity of operations of federally recognized critical infrastructure sectors.  To determine what infrastructure sectors are critical, the Governor refers to the U.S. Homeland Security CISA website.
Continue Reading California Governor Newsom Issues State-Wide Stay at Home Order

On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The President quickly signed it into law on the same day. The Act provides paid sick time and expands the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide an extended period of unpaid or partially paid leave for qualifying reasons related to the coronavirus [COVID-19] public health emergency.  Below is a summary of the portions of the new law relating to employee benefits and employer obligations.
Continue Reading (H.R. 6201) FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT: What Employers Should Know

A federal court in Sacramento explained last week its rationale for temporarily barring the State of California from enforcing a new law, AB 51, that would curtail employment arbitration agreements.  The rationale set forth in that written order of February 7, 2020, strongly suggests (but does not guarantee) that the court is inclined to permanently