Today (August 28, 2020), Governor Newsom announced a new “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” that modifies earlier guidance. These new restrictions can be found on the state COVID-19 website, and include four categories into which a county may fall. These categories are...
COVID-19
COVID-19 Update: The Use of Expanded FMLA Leave for Distance Learning
New legal guidance indicates that an employee may be eligible to use up to 12 weeks of Expanded FMLA to facilitate the distance learning needsof his/her child(ren.) With most California schools unable to begin on-campus instruction anytime in the near future, parents...
COVID-19 Update: New CDC Guidance on Home Isolation
On July 20th, the CDC published updated recommendations for home-isolation due to COVID-19 symptoms, infection, and exposure. A test-based strategy is no longer recommended. According to the CDC, "Accumulating evidence supports ending isolation and precautions for...
Back to School… Sort Of
On Friday, July 17, Governor Newsom announced plans for how California schools would be permitted to operate for the 2020-2021 school year. Schools located in counties that are on the state's Monitoring List for COVID-19 cases must not physically open for in-person...
Quarantine Timelines for COVID-Positive Tests and Exposures+
July 2020Quarantine Timelines for COVID-Positive Tests and Exposures Two CDC Strategies for Symptomatic Employees The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published two recommended strategies for individuals to self-isolate due to COVID-19 symptoms. ...
Governor Newsom Orders Most California Restaurants to Close Indoor Dining For Three Weeks
On July 1, 2020, Governor Newsom held a press conference to announce the return of restrictions for restaurants, movie theaters, and other indoor entertainment venues due to rising Coronavirus cases in 19 California counties. These businesses must stop indoor dining...
Protect All Employees From Heat Illness
The Central Valley in California is facing triple-digit heat forecasts all week, and it’s heating up statewide. This comes at a time when many businesses, in response to COVID-19, have added outdoor elements to the way that they provide their services. Of course, we...
June 2020: Workers’ Compensation Coverage for COVID-19 Infections
On May 6, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order establishing a presumed eligibility for workers' compensation benefits for employees who contract COVID-19 at work. Prior to this pandemic, having an infectious illness such as the flu would not entitle...
Brenda Budke goes live with KMPH FOX 26!
Our Executive Director, Brenda Budke, went live with KMPH FOX 26, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and it's effect on local businesses during shelter in place. Thank you for having us, FOX26! Sierra HR Partners is here to help you through these uncertain times! Have...
COVID-19 Update: 5/4/20
On Friday, 1 May, Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan issued Emergency Order 2020-16. This order supersedes prior orders, including the order issued 10 April. The new order is effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 7, (just after midnight Wednesday evening) and will remain...
HR News
Microsoft Worldwide Outage and Reporting Time Pay
Reporting time pay is required in California in order to discourage employers from requiring employees to report to work and then furnishing them with fewer hours than promised. An employee sent home early must be paid half of their scheduled shift, up to four hours...
UPDATE: Healthcare Minimum Wage Increase Further Delayed
As you know, we have been closely watching developments regarding the increase in minimum wage for California healthcare workers. Originally set to become effective on June 1, 2024, at the end of May, we reported that the requirement was delayed to July 1. It was...
Sierra HR Partners is Ready to Prepare Your Customized Workplace Violence Prevention Program
Sierra HR Partners is Ready to Prepare Your Customized Workplace Violence Prevention Program According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace violence is the second leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States,...
UPDATE: Healthcare Minimum Wage Increase Delayed to July 1
UPDATE: Healthcare Minimum Wage Increase Delayed to July 1 California Senate Bill 525, passed at the end of 2023, mandated minimum wage increases for most healthcare employees, set to begin this Saturday, June 1. The increases are staggering, and there has been...
