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(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss how employers should prepare for the newly signed family and medical leave law (SB 1383) that expands the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2021. Burden on Employers Many employers may be accustomed to leave laws, such as CFRA and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), that apply to employers who meet a threshold of 50 or more employees. Fifty employees has been considered a magic number because larger employers can be more nimble and pivot their workforce better to cover those employees who are out on leave, Shaw explains. SB 1383 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara) is significant because it changes the 50 employee threshold in CFRA to only 5 employees. In combination with the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are worried and this new law certainly presents a huge burden for them to face at this point, she tells Frank. Frank points out that businesses’ concerns don’t mean they are not sympathetic and empathetic to their employees’ needs; rather, businesses are concerned about the feasibility of being able to stay in business. “It’s not just abou...
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Software development and design company Vincit is a finalist for the 2020 Timmy Awards in the Best Tech Work Culture category. The Timmy Awards was created by Tech in Motion, an international event series with a mission to bring local tech communities together to meet, learn, and innovate. Tech in Motion awards program honors the year’s best tech startups, managers, and employers. As a Timmy Award finalist, Vincit is eligible for a Regional Community Favorite Award, determined through a vote by the general public. One vote a day may be cast and are being accepted HERE through Sept. 30. Regional Community Favorites are eligible for a national recognition. Cast Your Vote! Vincit is also one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators 2020. “To be recognized among companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft is a true honor,” said Ville Houttu, CEO of Vincit, said of Fast Company’s award. Houttu moved Vincit USA, located in the Irvine Spectrum, from Silicon Valley in 2016. “There’s so much tech here,” he said. “And it’s a very attractive place for families. I need my employees to be happy, and I can’t think of a better place than Irvine.” During the pandemic, Vincit has offered free services to help businesses— including SixThreeZero bik...
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For the second consecutive year, Chapman University is listed among the nation’s top universities in U.S. News & World Report’s newest rankings, released Sept. 14. The annual U.S. News report listed Chapman at No. 124 in its National Universities category, up from No. 125 in last year’s ranking. Chapman achieved entry into the category just last year, a distinction reflective of its rising reputation, growing research programs, and designation as an R2 status institution with high research activity. “Continuing as a top-tier university among the nation’s best institutions of higher education is validation of Chapman’s growing excellence and rising reputation. It reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver personalized educations of distinction while advancing our role as a world-class research institution,” said Chapman President Daniele Struppa. As a top-tier university Chapman is included with more than 400 of the leading private and public research universities across the United States, from Princeton and Harvard to UCLA and UC Berkeley. In addition, the publication notes Chapman for excellence in Best Undergraduate Teaching (No. 39) and as one of the Best Colleges for Veterans (No. 86). The entire campus community contributed to those achievements, said Provost Glenn Pfeiffer. “Our strong showing in these rankings speaks to the dedication and contribution...
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SafeDineOC grants have been raised to $5,000 for eligible restaurants. As part of the SafeDineOC Restaurant Program, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has allocated $10 million in Federal CARES Act funding to support local restaurants that are safely reopening. Restaurants are eligible for up to $5,000 in reimbursements for CARES Act-qualified purchases, such as masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE), site reconfiguration, employee training, cleaning supplies, etc. The application period for the grant program is open through Oct. 16, 2020, or whenever funding is fully allocated, whichever occurs first. The application takes less than five minutes to complete and receipt submissions are not required. If there are multiple, separate site restaurants under one owner, each restaurant location may apply for up to $5,000 in grant funds. Restaurants must submit a separate application for each location. Restaurants must acknowledge in writing that grant funds will be spent only on CARES Act-qualified purchases for final reimbursement grant payment. Receipts for purchases made March 1, 2020 to Dec. 30, 2020 are acceptable and must be maintained by grant recipient for five years from Dec. 30, 2020. Approved restaurants participating in the SafeDineOC program must post their attestation in plain view of customers, and the restaurant nam...
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