By Anne McWilliams

As a reminder, our firm is operating and assisting employers across the state of California during these unprecedented times.  Please contact any of our attorneys to discuss any specific questions.  Here are some useful resources for California employers to keep up-to-date on the quickly developing issues here in California and across the nation:

Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

  1. Executive Order Published: March 12, 2020: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/12/governor-newsom-issues-new-executive-order-further-enhancing-state-and-local-governments-ability-to-respond-to-covid-19-pandemic/
    • Directs Californians to follow public health directives including canceling large gatherings more than 250 people
    • Order removes waiting period for unemployment and disability insurance for Californians who lose work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak
    • Readies state to commandeer hotels & medical facilities to isolate & treat COVID-19 patients
    • Allows local and state legislative bodies to hold meetings via conference calls while still meeting state transparency requirements
  1. California Stay At Home Order Published March 19, 2020: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/19/governor-gavin-newsom-issues-stay-at-home-order/

U.S. Congress

  1. Families First Coronavirus Response Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201/text
  2. Zaller Law Group article on what employers need to know about the new law:

https://www.californiaemploymentlawreport.com/2020/03/families-first-coronavirus-response-act-enacted-by-the-president-what-employers-need-to-know/

California Employment Development Department

 Unemployment Insurance: edd.ca.gov/unemployment

  1. EDD FAQs: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
  2. Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return.

For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886

Hearing impaired (TTY): 1-800-547-9565

Outside the U.S. or Canada: 1-916-464-3502

  1. Rapid Response Team: Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help avert potential layoffs, and provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. For more information, refer to the https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de8714rrb.pdf or contact your local America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM

California Department of Public Health – COVID-19 Daily Updates

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

U.S. Department of Labor – OSHA – COVID-19

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html

California Labor Commissioner FAQs – COVID-19

 https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm

California Labor & Workplace Development Agency – COVID-19 Resources for Employers and Workers

https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – COVID-19

 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/2019_ncov.html

EEOC – What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19

 https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/wysk/wysk_ada_rehabilitaion_act_coronavirus.cfm

California State Franchise Board – tax relief available to California taxpayers affected by COVID-19

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/

U.S. Small Business Administration –  COVID-19: Disaster Assistance and SBA Loan Information

 https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

California State Treasurer’s Office – California Capital Access Program for Small Business (CalCAP SB or Program)

https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/sb/index.asp