Association News https://www.sbhra.org/news/default.asp Thu, 4 Jun 2026 05:17:48 GMT Sat, 18 Jan 2025 22:06:00 GMT Copyright © 2025 Santa Barbara HR Association Employer Tips for LA Wildfires - Webinar - 1/21/25 Noon PT https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=691443 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=691443  As part of  wildfire relief efforts, PIHRA. SHRM Chapter in the LA area, in partnership with law firm Fisher Phillips, is offering a complimentary webinar to support employers in Southern California. Titled "Employer Tips for LA Wildfires: Knowing Your Role in Protecting Workers' Health, Safety, and Workplace Rights", this webinar will take place on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Pacific Time).

Many employers have questions addressing the workplace-related issues facing their California employees in the wake of the Los Angeles County wildfire outbreaks. California employers have a legal duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace under Cal/OSHA regulations, including assessing hazards from items like wildfire smoke, fire proximity, and unsafe conditions before employees return to work.

Join Fisher Phillips Partners, Nicole Kamm and Andrew Sommer, for this one-hour webinar that will address the practical questions that most often arise during and in the aftermath of natural disasters in addition to legal obligations you need to consider.

Thank you, PIHRA and Fisher Phillips.

 

Register here >>


]]> Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:06:00 GMT Our Hearts are with Los Angeles https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=690875 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=690875
Regrettably, the new year has started off with unprecedented disasters in our nearby communities within LA County.  As HR professionals, we are resilient and we know how to band together and support each other.  If you have employees in the LA area and/or family and friends, our thoughts and prayers are with you.  We are channeling positive energy and prayers to the first responders, police, fire fighters, and everyone involved that are taking exhaustive measures to contain the fires and save lives.  

We want to assure our members that we are here to support you, our local members, and community, and we support our sister chapters in the areas of devastation.

Below are some resources for ways to help, donate, and/or volunteer, along with a few support resources for LA County.  As we know, preparedness is key.  If there are additional resources that you need, please reach out to us or send us additional links to post.

•       American Red Cross
•       CA Office of Emergency Services
•       CDSS Disaster Help Center
•        Alert South Bay
•        Emergency Network of Los Angeles
•        Santa Barbara Food Bank
•        Direct Relief

We can and will get through this as we have other disasters, but only if we lean in and support each other and our communities.

- Your SBHRA Board of Directors
















 




















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]]> Sun, 12 Jan 2025 22:59:00 GMT Summary of California's New Leave Policies for 2025 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=689242 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=689242 California has introduced several new leave policies that will take effect in 2025, aimed at providing better support and flexibility for employees: Are your handbooks ready?

  • Paid Family Leave (PFL) Updates: No Exhaustion of Vacation Time
    Employers can no longer require employees to use their accrued vacation time before receiving PFL benefits.

  • Expanded Crime Victims' Leave: Broader Protections
    Employees can take leave if they or their family members are victims of serious felonies, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and other violent crimes.

  • Captive Audience Meeting Ban: Freedom of Belief and Expression
    The California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act prohibits mandatory meetings on religious or political matters.

  • State Disability Insurance (SDI) and PFL Benefit Rates: Increased Wage Replacement
    The SDI/PFL weekly benefit formula will increase to 70%-90% wage replacement, up from the current 60%-70%.

  • Permanent Mediation Program: Support for Disputes
    The Small Employer Mediation Program becomes permanent, providing support for disputes involving bereavement and reproductive loss leave.

  • Agricultural Workers' Leave: Preventive Care
    Paid sick leave can be used for preventive care during emergencies like wildfire smoke or flooding.

]]> Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:40:00 GMT Starting January 1, 2025, California's minimum wage increases https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=689241 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=689241 Starting January 1, 2025, California will see an increase in its minimum wage. The statewide minimum wage will rise to $16.50 per hour for all employers, regardless of size. This adjustment is part of the state's ongoing efforts to ensure wages keep pace with the cost of living.


In addition to the statewide increase, several cities and counties in California have their own local minimum wage ordinances. For example, cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara have set their minimum wages higher than the state minimum. Employers in these areas must comply with both state and local wage laws.

]]> Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:25:00 GMT Be informed! Subscribe to SHRM Newsletters https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=676293 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=676293 Stay informed on HR news and information with SHRM email newsletters. Sign up for free email newsletters and get SHRM information delivered to your inbox. 



HR Newsletters | SHRM]]> Sun, 30 Jun 2024 21:34:00 GMT E-Verify participation is required to remotely examine employee I-9 documents https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=670533 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=670533 If you'd like to continue to view employee I-9 documents remotely, which was allowed during COVID times, employers must now enroll in E-Verify and be in good standing to use the option as a DHS-authorized alternative procedure.  

New E-Verify enrollees and users complete an E-Verify tutorial that includes fraudulent document awareness training. Existing employers who are already enrolled in E-Verify have access to this tutorial and may retake it at any time.

E-Verify employer in good standing:

  • Is enrolled in E-Verify with respect to all hiring sites that use the alternative procedure to remotely examine documents,
  • Uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of newly-hired employees in the United States, and
  • Complies with all other requirements of the E-Verify program.

LEARN MORE HERE...

]]> Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:47:00 GMT SHRM opposes California Right-to-Disconnect Bill at hearing - AB 2751 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=670532 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=670532 SHRM and the California State Council of SHRM (CalSHRM) strongly oppose California Assembly Bill 2751 due to its overly broad approach to addressing a workplace challenge, testified Michael Kalt, government affairs director for CalSHRM, at an April 17 hearing before the California State Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment.

The bill grants employees the right to disregard after-hours communications from their employers except in emergencies or regarding scheduling matters.

“Our core concern is that the bill’s one-size-fits-all approach will have negative effects on both businesses and employees and put California workers at a competitive disadvantage,” Kalt said. “Businesses need to respond quickly to operational demands, and this sometimes requires after-hours communication, which is compensated. Eliminating this common business practice could jeopardize the competitiveness of Californian businesses at home and abroad.”

 

LEARN MORE HERE....

]]> Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:39:00 GMT CAL/OSHA Workplace Violence Prevention Website https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=670355 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=670355 Their model plan is here.
 
]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:00:00 GMT Embracing AI in the Workplace https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668823 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668823 SHRM has created a playbook to assist you with AI success in your organization. Learn the key strategies on how AI can improve your business and empower talent with their free AI in the Workplace Playbook.


Inside you'll find insights on:

  • AI trends impacting work, workers and the workplace

  • Enhancing talent acquisition

  • Boosting employee engagement

  • Understanding policy regulation and examining related risks

Learn more and download the playbook here....

.]]> Sun, 31 Mar 2024 18:52:00 GMT Cal/OSHA Issues Model Plan for Complying with Workplace Violence Prevention Law https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668822 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668822 Last year, California’s governor signed Senate Bill (SB) 553, which requires all employers to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). The law takes effect on July 1, 2024. Cal/OSHA is responsible for enforcing the requirements of SB 553, now codified at California Labor Code Section 6401.9.

Cal/OSHA has published a Model WVPP. Similar to its model Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) and COVID-19 Prevention policy, the Model WVPP is designed to assist employers in drafting their own plans. Employers are not required to use Cal/OSHA’s model but may adopt it as a template. The Model WVPP contains numerous questions and examples for employers to consider as they assess the risks in their own workplaces and “fill in the blanks” of the template accordingly.

Learn more here from SHRM.....

]]> Sun, 31 Mar 2024 02:47:00 GMT California Fast Food Minimum Wage Increase Starts April 1, 2024 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668821 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668821 Beginning April 1, 2024, California’s minimum wage for fast-food workers will increase to $20 per hour – the average hourly wage for fast-food workers in 2022 was $16.21.

This new minimum wage applies to employees who work for a fast-food restaurant in California that is part of a national fast-food chain. The law defines a national fast-food chain as a group of limited-service restaurants that meets the following three criteria:

  • It has more than 60 establishments across the country.

  • It shares a common brand, or has standardized options for appearance, marketing, packaging, and offerings.

  • It is primarily engaged in providing food and beverages for immediate consumption that customers select and pay for upfront with minimal or no table service.

Also beginning April 1, employers covered by the fast-food minimum wage must post the supplemental fast food minimum wage notice.

Read the Labor Commissioner’s FAQs to learn more about who is covered under the law, along with additional criteria and exemptions for fast-food restaurants.

]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2024 22:49:00 GMT 2024 Benefit Plan Limits & Thresholds Chart https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668824 https://www.sbhra.org/news/news.asp?id=668824
A very good resource, SHRM has released an extensive schedule of 2024 Benefit Plan Limits & Thresholds.

 

You can find it here...

]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2024 03:06:00 GMT