CalChamber Releases 2020 Job Killer Bill List - California Chamber of ...
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VOLUME 46, NUMBER 16 • MAY 15, 2020
CalChamber Releases Governor Lays Out
Plan for Solving
2020 Job Killer Bill List Record State Budget
Deficit
The California Chamber income. Our legislature should focus
of Commerce this week solely on keeping California employers Governor Gavin
released its annual and workers in business,” said Zaremberg. Newsom has
job killer list, which The CalChamber will periodically proposed solving
includes 10 bills that release job killer updates as legislation a record budget
threaten California’s changes. Readers are encouraged to track deficit by tapping
economic recovery and the current status of the job killer bills reserves, borrowing
would hurt the ability of employers to on www.CalChamber.com/jobkillers money from special
rehire or maintain employment of Cali- or by following @CalChamber and funds, deferring
fornia workers should they become law. @CAJobKillers on Twitter. spending and rais-
“It’s truly unfortunate—and, quite ing some targeted
astonishing—that anyone in the legisla- 2020 Job Killers revenues.
ture would unnecessarily increase costs The 2020 job killer list includes the But the major budget solution to an
on California’s distressed employers and following bills: estimated $54.5 billion deficit depends on
reduce employment opportunities for • AB 196 (Lorena Gonzalez; D-San spending federal funds already allocated
California workers,” said CalChamber Diego) Establishes Costly “Conclusive to California and receiving federal funds
President and CEO Allan Zaremberg. Presumption” of Injury. Significantly not yet approved by Congress. Without
“Nearly four million Californians increases workers’ compensation costs the new federal funding, the budget
have filed for unemployment benefits for employers by “conclusively” presum- would automatically trigger $14 billion in
and many more are without work-related See CalChamber Releases: Page 4 new spending cuts, beginning July 1.
The updated budget proposal, called
the May Revision, projects the worst of
State Issues Industry-Specific Guidance the economic impacts from the pandemic
to be in the second quarter of 2020 and to
for Businesses to Reopen Gradually persist for several years. A slow recovery
is projected as restrictions on economic
19 Counties Say They Meet Readiness Criteria activity gradually begin to ease.
The Administration projects the
California Businesses should review the guid- unemployment rate to reach 24.5% in
continued moving ance relevant to their workplace, prepare the second quarter of 2020, meaning
toward economic a plan based on that guidance, and put the that 1 in 4 California workers will be out
reopening this plan into action. of work, or around 4.8 million people.
week, entering Topics covered in the guidance This is more than twice the 2.2 million
early Stage 2 of include worksite-specific plans, topics Californians unemployed during the
the COVID-19 for employee training, individual control height of the Great Recession. Personal
Resilience Roadmap. measures and screening, cleaning and income is projected to decline by 9%
The state issued more detailed indus- disinfecting protocols, and physical See Governor: Page 3
try-specific guidance and nearly 20 coun- distancing guidelines.
ties attested they have met the state’s Guidance covers industries ranging
criteria for opening with modifications. from retailers to construction, deliv- Inside
ery services, office workspaces and
Industry-Specific Guidance manufacturing.
Webinar on Creating Return
The industry-specific guidance is avail- When businesses complete items to Work Plan: Page 6
able at covid19.cagov/industry-guidance. See State Issues: Page 3
W W W. C A L C H A M B E R A L E R T. C O M
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAY 15, 2020 • PAGE 2
Labor Law Corner
Remote Workers May Be Subject to Local Wage, Sick Leave Ordinances
where the employee is working remotely. If you have employees working in
Each ordinance defines the coverage and any locality with a local paid sick leave
eligibility, and the rules vary. ordinance (Berkeley, Emeryville, City
of Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego,
Minimum Work Time San Francisco, Santa Monica), be sure
In general, employees are eligible and to check with that locality to see what
covered by a local minimum wage ordi- changes, if any, have been made in light
nance if they work within the geographic of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Bianca Saad boundaries of the city or county for a Additionally, several localities have
Employment Law
Subject Matter Expert minimum amount of time per week, such passed supplemental paid sick leave ordi-
as two hours per week; and employers are nances to provide additional paid sick
covered if they employ employees work- leave than what is required under state,
If our work site is located in an area where ing in that particular city or county. local and federal law.
only the California minimum wage rate An eligible employee must be paid no Specifically, the ordinances are aimed
applies, but due to COVID-19, some of less than the applicable local minimum at covering larger employers with 500
our employees are now working remotely wage rate for each hour of work within the or more employees that are not covered
from home in a city or county with a local geographic boundaries of the city or county. under the Families First Coronavirus
minimum wage ordinance, do we have to So, in the case of an employee who is Response Act (FFCRA).
pay the local minimum wage rate? working remotely from home in a city or Localities with COVID-19 supple-
Local minimum wage requirements county with a local minimum wage rate, mental sick leave ordinances include Los
may apply depending on the ordinance if the employee is eligible (for example, Angeles City, Los Angeles County (unin-
issued by each city or county where the they have worked more than two hours corporated areas), San Francisco and San
employee works—or in this case, from in that city/county for the week), then the Jose, and we could see more in the future.
employee should be paid at the applicable Remember, the applicability of local
local minimum wage rate for all hours ordinances is largely based on where the
worked within the geographic boundaries employee is working, so be careful not
California Chamber Officers of that location. to assume that a local ordinance doesn’t
The fact that the employer’s location/ apply, just because you, the employer, are
Mark Jansen worksite, or the employee’s typical worksite located somewhere else.
Chair (absent COVID-19 circumstances), is Also remember that employers subject
Donna L. Lucas located where no local minimum wage rate to state and local laws must follow the
First Vice Chair applies makes no difference. stricter standard or the law that’s most
Kailesh Karavadra Keep in mind, the same analysis beneficial to the employee when there are
Second Vice Chair should be made for any other local ordi- conflicting requirements.
nances (aside from minimum wage) that
Gregory S. Bielli
might apply, such as local paid sick leave. Column based on questions asked by callers
Third Vice Chair on the Labor Law Helpline, a service to Cali-
Grace Evans Cherashore Check with Local Entities fornia Chamber of Commerce preferred and
Immediate Past Chair In response to COVID-19, some executive members. For expert explanations
Allan Zaremberg localities have made modifications or of labor laws and Cal/OSHA regulations, not
expansions to the instances in which legal counsel for specific situations, call (800)
President and Chief Executive Officer
employees may use their paid sick leave. 348-2262 or submit your question at www.
hrcalifornia.com.
Alert (ISSN 0882-0929) is published weekly
during legislative session with exceptions by
California Chamber of Commerce, 1215 K
Street, Suite 1400, Sacramento, CA 95814-
3918. Subscription price is $50 paid through
membership dues.
Send email address changes to alert@ See calchamber.com/events
for the latest list of
calchamber.com. Publisher: Allan Zaremberg.
Executive Editor: Ann Amioka. Art Director: Neil
Ishikawa. Capitol Correspondent: Sara Proffit.
Permission granted to reprint articles if
credit is given to the California Chamber of CalChamber-sponsored
seminars, trade shows
Commerce Alert, citing original publication
date of article, and reprint is emailed to Alert
at address above.
Email: alert@calchamber.com.
Home page: www.calchamber.com. and webinars.
W W W. C A L C H A M B E R A L E R T. C O M
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAY 15, 2020 • PAGE 3
Governor Lays Out Plan for Solving Record State Budget Deficit
From Page 1 • Suspending the ability of medium budgets by 10% in the absence of new
and proprietorship business income by and large business taxpayers to utilize net federal funds.
26% in 2020, with further deterioration operating losses for 2020, 2021 and 2022. • Cutting support for the Strong
through 2023. • Limit the ability of business taxpay- Workforce Program in both high schools
The forecast projects that California ers to utilize business incentive tax cred- and community colleges. This program
permits for residential single-family and its that offset more than $5 million in tax provided school-to-work linkages, espe-
multi-family units will decrease by 21% liability for 2020, 2021 and 2022. cially for students not pursuing an imme-
or 24,000 units to around 90,000 in 2020. Together, these temporary tax diate four-year degree.
The economic paralysis from response increases will raise about $4.4 billion in
to the pandemic evaporated state General the fiscal year beginning July 2021. Budget Reserves Help
Fund revenues by more than $41 billion, The prudent budget reserves created
reflecting drops in wage and proprietors’ Spending Cuts since the passage of Proposition 2 in
income, cratering capital gains, erosion The Governor proposed additional 2014 will provide state government with
of corporate profits, and significantly spending cuts beginning July 1, 2020, in a sorely needed cushion, providing more
lower consumption by individuals and the event that new federal funds are not than $16 billion to cover budget deficits
businesses. appropriated by Congress. Among the over the next three years.
For example, while consumer spend- most significant are: But for the vision of Governors
ing declined by 9% during the Great • Reducing state employee salaries by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Edmund
Recession, it is expected to collapse by 10% and furloughing state employees. G. Brown Jr., and the support of the
more than 15% just this year. • Reducing judicial branch spending California Chamber of Commerce and
by 5%, which the Administration reports other business and taxpayer advocates,
Limited New Revenues will be achieved with efficiencies. solutions for the historic budget deficit
The Administration has proposed • Eliminating proposed 5% budget would have required more tax increases
a limited set of new revenues, which augmentations to the University and spending cuts.
amount to about 8% of the total deficit of California and California State Contact: Loren Kaye
solutions: University, and further reducing their
State Issues Industry-Specific Guidance for Businesses to Reopen Gradually
From Page 1 screen themselves for symptoms and stay Counties that have met the criteria
within the guidance, they can post an home if they have them; may open some business activities—such
industry-specific checklist in their work- • Implement individual control as shopping malls and dine-in restau-
place to show customers and employees measures and screenings; rants—more quickly.
that the business has reduced risk and is • Implement disinfecting protocols; and
ready to open. • Implement physical distancing Web Resources
Industry-specific checklists are avail- guidelines. Guidance continues to evolve and
able for construction, businesses would do well to
delivery services, office check the state’s one-stop
workspaces and real estate website at covid19.ca.gov.
transactions, to name a It includes links to the
few. latest data on total cases in
California, total deaths and
Before Reopening number of persons tested, as
At each stage of the well as hospital data, county
reopening, the businesses maps, cases by county, and
and industries involved are a section allowing visitors
being asked to make sure to search for a testing site by
they meet the safety and preparedness
Meeting Readiness Criteria zip code.
milestones outlined in Stage 1 by visiting Counties that have attested they meet The California Chamber of
https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/. the readiness criteria for reopening with Commerce webpage at www.calchamber.
Before reopening, all facilities must: modifications as of May 14 are: Amador, com/coronavirus includes links to
• Perform a detailed risk assessment Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, COVID-19-related federal, state and local
and implement a site-specific protection Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mariposa, resources, including California Counties
plan; Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Benito, Health and Stay-at-Home Order pages,
• Train employees on how to limit the Shasta, Sierra, Sutter, Tehama, Tuolumne plus CalChamber podcasts and other
spread of COVID-19, including how to and Yuba. guidance.
W W W. C A L C H A M B E R A L E R T. C O M
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAY 15, 2020 • PAGE 4
CalChamber Releases 2020 Job Killer Bill List Cumulative Job Killer Vetoes
From Page 1 further opens up new avenues for litigation
ing (non-rebuttable) that contraction against California employers by establish- 2019: 31 Job Killers identified, 2 sent to Governor
of COVID-19 by all “essential work- ing a new private right of action (in addi- Gavin Newsom, 1 vetoed, 1 signed;
ers” is a workplace injury. Establishes tion to liability under the Private Attorneys 2018: 29 Job Killers identified, 1 sent to Governor
an extremely concerning precedent for General Act (PAGA) and administrative Edmund G. Brown Jr., 1 vetoed;
expanding presumptions into the private enforcement through the Division of Labor 2017: 27 Job Killers identified, 3 sent to Governor
sector for COVID-19 issues, which the Standards Enforcement). Brown, 2 signed, 1 vetoed;
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating • AB 3075 (Lorena Gonzalez; D-San
Bureau (WCIRB) recently estimated will Diego) Public Shaming and Local Wage 2016: 24 Job Killers identified, 5 sent to Governor
add billions in costs to California’s work- Standards. Provides for public sham- Brown, 4 signed, and 1 vetoed;
ers’ compensation system. ing of corporations and interference with 2015: 19 Job Killer bills identified, 3 sent to Governor
• AB 664 (Cooper; D-Elk Grove) corporate formation based on arbitrary, Brown, 1 signed, and 2 vetoed;
Establishes Costly “Conclusive unclear and unfair standards. The bill 2014: 27 Job Killer bills identified, 2 sent to Governor
Presumption” of Injury. Significantly would also result in chaotic and incon- Brown, 2 signed;
increases workers’ compensation costs for sistent enforcement of wage and hour
public employers and public and private laws by local jurisdictions by authorizing 2013: 38 Job Killer bills identified, 1 sent to Governor
hospitals by “conclusively” presuming them to impose their own wage payment Brown, 1 signed;
(non-rebuttable) that exposure or contrac- requirements as long as they are “at least 2012: 32 Job Killer bills identified, 6 sent to Governor
tion of communicable diseases, including as stringent” as state law requirements. Brown, 4 signed, 2 vetoed;
COVID-19, are caused by the work- • AB 3216 (Kalra; D-San Jose) 2011: 30 Job Killer bills identified, 5 sent to Governor
place and defines required compensation New COVID-19 Employment Leave Brown, 1 signed, 4 vetoed;
to include non-workers’ compensation Mandate. Provides for unlimited job
items such as “temporary housing costs.” protected leave for all employees of 2010: 43 Job Killer bills identified, 12 sent to
Establishes an extremely concerning prec- employers of any size for family and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2 signed,
edent for expanding presumptions into the medical leave due to COVID-19. This 10 vetoed;
private sector for COVID-19 issues, which new mandate is in addition to numerous 2009: 33 Job Killer bills identified, 6 sent to Governor
the Workers’ Compensation Insurance COVID-19 leave requirements recently Schwarzenegger, 6 vetoed;
Rating Bureau recently estimated will add enacted at the federal, state and local 2008: 39 Job Killer bills identified, 10 sent to Governor
billions in costs to California’s workers’ levels. The bill creates additional burdens Schwarzenegger, 1 signed, 9 vetoed;
compensation system. on California employers at a time they
• AB 1107 (Chu; D-San Jose) can least afford it. 2007: 30 Job Killer bills identified, 12 sent to Governor
Massive Unemployment Insurance • SB 893 (Caballero; D-Salinas) Schwarzenegger, 12 vetoed;
Compensation and Tax Increase. Would Expands Costly Presumption of Injury. 2006: 40 Job Killer bills identified, 11 sent to Governor
significantly raise employers’ payroll Significantly increases workers’ compen- Schwarzenegger, 2 signed, 9 vetoed;
taxes to fund a 130% increase in unem- sation costs for public and private hospitals 2005: 45 Job Killer bills identified, 8 sent to Governor
ployment payments just as California’s by presuming that certain diseases (includ- Schwarzenegger, 1 signed, 7 vetoed;
businesses are struggling to survive a ing COVID-19) and injuries are caused by
pandemic-caused shutdown. the workplace and establishes an extremely 2004: 23 Job Killer bills identified, 10 sent to Governor
• AB 2992 (Weber; D-San Diego) concerning precedent for expanding Schwarzenegger, 10 vetoed;
Expanded Leaves of Absence. Expands presumptions into the private sector. 2003: 53 Job Killer bills identified, 13 sent to Governor
three separate leaves of absence on • SB 950 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara) Gray Davis, 11 signed, 2 vetoed;
small and large employers with multiple Expansion of CEQA. Would expand the 2002: 35 Job Killer bills identified, 17 sent to Governor
threats of litigation despite the enormous California Environmental Quality Act’s Davis, 12 signed, 5 vetoed
financial strain all size employers are existing requirements by adding costly
dealing with as a result of the COVID- new mandates that will burden local agen- 2001: 12 Job Killer bills identified, 5 sent to Governor
19 pandemic. This increased burden cies, add substantial time and costs to the Davis, 3 signed, 2 vetoed;
will limit employers’ ability to recover, CEQA process and provide project oppo- 2000: No Job Killers identified. Of 4 bad bills identified
including limiting their ability to rebuild nents with new legal arguments to delay or at end of session, Governor Davis signs 2 and
their workforce. block housing and other projects. vetoes 2.
• AB 2999 (Low; D-Campbell) • SB 1399 (Durazo; D-Los Angeles) 1999: 30 Job Killer bills identified, 9 sent to Governor
New Protected Leave and Threat of Increased Costs and Liability on Davis, 6 signed, 3 vetoed;
Litigation. Imposes a significant new Employers. Imposes unfair and onerous
burden on employers of every size by burdens on any essential business in the 1998: 64 Job Killer bills identified, 11 sent to Governor
mandating that they provide employees up apparel industry, including a $600,000 Pete Wilson, 11 vetoed.
to 10 days of bereavement leave upon the bond to operate, which will force busi- 1997: 57 Job Killer bills identified, 9 sent to Governor
death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, nesses to reduce their workforce or close Wilson, 9 vetoed.
grandparent, grandchild, or domestic part- down their business, given the financial
ner, regardless of how long the employee strain they are already under from this
has worked for the employer. The bill pandemic.
W W W. C A L C H A M B E R A L E R T. C O M
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAY 15, 2020 • PAGE 5
More Important Than Ever: Maintaining
and Improving Free Trade, Investment
The world Imports of goods and services were also tation gateways, as well as inflows and
has quickly down to $733.5 million for the first quar- outflows of human and capital resources.
changed over ter, compared to $783.2 million for the The statistics underscore the impor-
the last few same period in 2019 (Census.gov). tance of our international connections. In
months and In California, trade took an antic- 2019, California exported $173.3 billion
during these ipated tumble as well; March 2020 to 229 foreign economies, down slightly
strange and showed a 12.7% decline in exports from from $178.4 billion in 2018, according
uncertain the year before and a 19.1% drop in to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
times, the re-exports. On a positive note, however, California’s top export markets are
importance of California’s leading agricultural export of Mexico, Canada, China, Japan and South
international almonds was up 3.5% from the previous Korea. California maintained its perennial
trade has been year (Beacon Economics). position as a top exporting state, account-
Susanne T. Stirling on display ing for 10.5% of total U.S. exports.
across the world. Supply chains have
been put to the test and global connectiv- Commentary 2020 Trade Priorities
ity has proven vital in quickly securing By Susanne T. Stirling Trade agreements (the United States
much-needed supplies to fight the has 20) ensure that the nation and its
COVID-19 pandemic around the world. businesses may continue to gain access to
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Maintaining and improving world- world markets, resulting in an improved
stated in an April 2020 report that it wide free trade is critical during this time economy and additional jobs for
expects world trade to fall drastically as most companies that export have an Americans. CalChamber trade priorities
by between 13% and 32% in 2020 as easier time riding out fluctuations in the for 2020 include the following:
normal economic activity and everyday U.S. economy, and are more likely to stay • U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement:
life has been disrupted by the pandemic. in business. The new United States-Mexico-Canada
The WTO expects a recovery in 2021, Agreement (USMCA) was approved by
but is unsure what that will look like as it Promoting Trade a Priority the U.S. and Canada at the beginning of
depends on the duration of the outbreak With trade being a top-tier national 2020. Mexico passed the updated agree-
and the policy responses around the issue, the CalChamber continues to ment in 2019. It is expected that the
world (WTO). communicate its international trade USMCA will be implemented on July 1,
Beacon Economics founder Chris priorities to secure a national free trade after a short delay due to COVID-19.
Thornberg, chair of the California agenda. Such an agenda is in keeping • Indo-Pacific Initiative: The Indo-
Chamber of Commerce Economic with the CalChamber’s long-standing Pacific Initiative launched by President
Advisory Council, has a slightly more support for eliminating disincentives that Donald Trump in July 2018 aims to
positive outlook for the post-COVID-19 impede the international competitiveness accelerate U.S. private sector involve-
recovery. Although the economy has of California business. ment in the region and support more U.S.
taken an unprecedented hit as economic The economic advances that inter- export opportunities.
activity has declined drastically and national commerce makes possible are Since the beginning of the Trump
unemployment has increased drastically, clear, despite the regular attacks, and administration, the U.S. has invested more
he says a “V” shaped recovery is possible. World Trade Month activities each May than $2.9 billion to support the economic
Beacon Economics reported that the appropriately provide many opportunities portion of the Indo-Pacific Initiative and
economy contracted by 5% to 10% from to acknowledge the importance of global nearly $600 million to support digital
the first to second quarter, which is larger trade to the economies of California and connectivity and cybersecurity, promote
than anything experienced previously. the United States. sustainable infrastructure development,
Beacon anticipates that the U.S. econ- About a third of CalChamber and strengthen energy security and access.
omy will contract by 7.5% to 10% in the members are engaged in international • U.S.-Japan Free Trade Agreement:
second quarter, at an annualized rate of commerce, and more than two-thirds are The United States-Japan Trade Agreement
30% to 40%. small or medium-sized enterprises. and U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement
Thornberg points toward the positive went into force on January 1, 2020 with
amidst the gloom, commenting that the California Trade Connections the goal of expanding bilateral trade in a
economy is much less fragile now than it California’s diverse economy relies mutually beneficial way.
has been in the past. (Beacon Economics). heavily on exports and imports of both It is hoped that the U.S. and Japan will
Exports of U.S. goods and services in goods and services by California-based continue to expand areas of cooperation
the first quarter of 2020 totaled $603.7 companies. It is a complex, inter-con- and deepen their understanding of each
million, compared to $625.4 million nected network that involves exports and other’s respective views and positions.
during the same period the year before. imports through California’s transpor- See Maintaining/Improving: Page 8
W W W. C A L C H A M B E R A L E R T. C O M
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAY 15, 2020 • PAGE 6
CalChamber to Present Webinar on Creating a Return to Work Plan
As California and • Ideal for HR professionals, office serves as an HR adviser on the Labor Law
its localities begin managers, business owners or anyone Helpline. Saad brings the perspective of
to modify their responsible for hiring and staffing. an employee representative, coming from
shelter-in-place • Mobile-optimized for viewing on nearly eight years in private practice as
orders, employers tablets and smartphones. an employment law and litigation attor-
across the state • Ability to submit questions during ney. She has represented plaintiff workers
are thinking about the webinar. in wage and hour disputes, employment
how to comply with evolving workplace • Downloadable webinar slides and a whistleblower claims, personal injury
guidelines so that employees and custom- recording of the live event. matters, and employment discrimination,
ers can return safely. This webinar offers guidance only harassment and retaliation cases. J.D.
To help employers prepare their and does not serve as or replace legal California Western School of Law.
workplaces for the “next normal,” the advice. • Employment Law Counsel/Subject
California Chamber of Commerce is Matter Expert Matthew Roberts joined
presenting a 90-minute webinar on May Presenters CalChamber in July 2019. He explains
21, “Creating a Return to Work Plan for • CalChamber Executive Vice California and federal labor and employ-
Your California Employees,” 10 a.m. to President, Legal Affairs, and General ment laws to CalChamber members
11:30 a.m. (PT). Counsel Erika Frank was named to and customers, including serving as an
During the webinar, CalChamber her current position in 2017 after serv- HR adviser on the Labor Law Helpline.
employment law experts will discuss ing as vice president since 2009. Before Roberts brings a decade of experience
factors to consider and tips to remember assuming general counsel responsi- as an attorney representing business
as employers prepare to reopen. bilities in late 2005, she lobbied the owners on California wage and hour and
legislative and executive branches on anti-discrimination employment laws
Topics taxation, civil litigation and lawsuit abuse for law firms in Sacramento and Davis.
Topics include: issues. Frank leads CalChamber’s Legal In addition to representing employers in
• Overview of Governor Newsom’s Affairs Department, which participates all phases of litigation before state and
guidelines to reopen; in court cases having a broad impact federal employment law enforcement
• Safety considerations for workers on California’s economy and business agencies, he has provided training on
and customers; climate. She oversees and contributes topics such as sexual harassment preven-
• Providing personal protective equip- to CalChamber labor law and human tion training, wage and hour and leaves of
ment (PPE); resources compliance publications; absence issues, as well as conducted sensi-
• Administering testing and screenings; co-produces and presents webinars and tive workplace investigations for public
• Following guidance from the seminars; and heads the Labor Law and private employers. J.D. McGeorge
federal Centers for Disease Control and Helpline. J.D. McGeorge School of Law, School of Law, University of the Pacific.
Prevention (CDC), California Division University of the Pacific.
of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/ • Employment Law Subject Matter To Register
OSHA), California Department of Fair Expert Bianca Saad joined CalChamber To register for Creating a Return to
Employment and Housing (DFEH), in April 2018. She oversees CalChamber Work Plan for Your California Employees,
Equal Employment Opportunity coverage of the ever-expanding area of visit the CalChamber store at store.
Commission (EEOC) and other agencies labor-related local ordinances and serves calchamber.com, or call (800) 331-8877.
• Hiring and onboarding as a co-presenter for CalChamber compli- CalChamber preferred and executive
considerations. ance seminars and webinars. She also members receive a 20% discount.
• How to bring back temporarily laid
off employees.
• Recruiting practices for new hires.
• Considerations about when and
whether to bring teleworkers back to the
office.
• Compliance requirements, includ-
ing wage and hour, Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), EEOC and DFEH.
• Staggered work schedules.
• Wage and hour rules to remember.
• Recommended changes and addi-
tions to handbook policies.
• Communicating your return to work
plan and setting expectations.
Webinar Features
• Presented by top CalChamber
employment law experts.W W W. C A L C H A M B E R A L E R T. C O M
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAY 15, 2020 • PAGE 7
HR Boot Camp Pivots to Virtual Format
With the enthusiastic help of seminar
attendees, the California Chamber of
Commerce converted its in-person HR
Boot Camp to a virtual seminar last week.
Using virtual technology,
CalChamber’s HR Boot Camp was
offered live over two half days with
seminar attendees asking and receiving
answers to questions in real time.
The virtual format allowed attendees
to maintain safe social distancing and not
need to travel, all while gaining the key
employment law information HR profes-
sionals need.
The CalChamber is weighing options
about the future format for its often
sold-out training sessions, such as the
HR Boot Camp and Leaves of Absence:
Making Sense of It All seminars. CalChamber Executive Vice President, Legal Affairs, and General Counsel Erika Frank and CalCham-
In the meantime, as part of its ber Employment Law Subject Matter Expert Bianca N. Saad conduct a live virtual seminar.
ongoing effort to serve customers and
Photos by John Christensen, Owner, Sacramento Media Center
members during the COVID-19 crisis,
the CalChamber has put together a new
COVID-19 webinar. Read more about the
webinar on Page 6.
CalChamber Employment Law Subject Matter Expert Bianca N. Saad conducts a virtual HR Boot
Camp segment.
In Memoriam: Former CalChamber Board Member Michael Ziegler
Michael Ziegler, leadership, the organization grew from 65 year joins the CalChamber in sponsoring
CEO of PRIDE employees to more than 5,600 today, 3,350 a Sacramento breakfast and reception
Industries and of whom are persons with disabilities. highlighting the state’s role as a leader
former member PRIDE has placed and supported in agriculture, technology, international
of the California employment for thousands of people with commerce and many other industries.
Chamber of disabilities at small businesses, Fortune “Mike’s impact on the communities
Commerce 500 companies and government part- PRIDE serves and the PRIDE family is
Board of Direc- ners across the nation, according to the immeasurable,” said Jeff Dern, president
tors, passed away company news release reporting his death. of PRIDE Industries. “Everyone who met
this week. He He became president and CEO of Mike was instantly drawn to his passion
was 75. PRIDE in 1983 and was a member of the for PRIDE’s mission and his love of
For 37 years, Ziegler headed PRIDE CalChamber Board of Directors from people. I’ve never known a more brilliant
Industries, provider of business outsourc- September 2004 to October 2018. He also businessperson or someone with a bigger
ing solutions and employer of people had served since 2004 as a member of the heart than Zig.”
with disabilities. Under his passionate Sacramento Host Committee, which eachW W W. C A L C H A M B E R A L E R T. C O M
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAY 15, 2020 • PAGE 8
Maintaining/Improving Free Trade/Investment More Important than Ever
From Page 5 formally began in May via video confer- keep U.S. and California businesses
California continues to be the top ence. The United Kingdom is California’s competitive. Although the recent trend
exporting state to Japan, and Japan has 11th largest export destination. has been to regional trade agreements, the
remained California’s fourth largest The CalChamber is hopeful that the CalChamber also will be supportive of
export market since 2010. U.S. and U.K. will agree to a comprehen- bilateral trade agreements.
• U.S.-China Relations: After two sive free trade agreement quickly. The
years of escalating tariffs on both sides, CalChamber supports the goal of strength- Susanne T. Stirling is vice president of inter-
the U.S. and China reached a “Phase 1” ening the trading and investment relation- national affairs for the California Chamber of
trade deal in October 2019 and agreed ship between the two countries, with a Commerce, www.calchamber.com/international.
on a tariff rollback in November. The focus on securing open market access.
“mini trade deal” was sealed in December • U.S.-European Union Trade
2019. The Phase 1 deal requires China Agreement: The European Union is WORLD TRADE MONTH
to increase purchases of U.S. farm goods one of the three new markets for which MAY 2020
within two years, as well as enact financial President Trump announced in October WORLD TRADE WEEK
services and intellectual property commit- 2018 his intent to enter into trade negoti- MAY 17-23, 2020
ments. At the beginning of 2020, China ations. California is a top exporting state
committed to buying $200 billion worth to the EU, and the single market presents
of U.S. products, but this has since been a stable one with huge opportunity for
delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. California companies.
The CalChamber is hopeful the Trump Negotiations have informally been put
administration and China will remain on ice due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
committed to following through with the however, the CalChamber is optimistic
Phase 1 trade deal, despite new tensions that the U.S. and EU will continue free
related to the pandemic. trade negotiations at some point in the World Trade Week, which occurs during the third full
• U.S.-United Kingdom Trade near future. The CalChamber recognizes week of May, was initiated by the Los Angeles Chamber,
Agreement: The United States maintains the timely importance of deepening the officially established in 1935 by President Franklin D.
a deep trade and investment relationship world’s largest trading and investment Roosevelt and is recognized annually by presidential
with the United Kingdom. The U.K. relationship, with a focus on trade and proclamation. More recently, the celebration has evolved
officially left the European Union as of investment initiatives. into World Trade Month with the support of the U.S
January 31, 2020, and after a delay due The CalChamber urges support of Department of Commerce.
to the COVID-19 pandemic, negotiations trade agreements that will continue to
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