PIHRA’s Response to COVID-19

Human resources professionals are critical to companies and communities during times of crisis, and we at PIHRA remain dedicated to supporting HR professionals in Southern California and beyond as the workforce begins to head back to work.

The health and safety of our members, volunteers, staff, colleagues, family, and friends is our top priority as we make decisions about how to best support our community in the coming weeks and months. All our decisions about in-person PIHRA events will be based on guidance and recommendations from the CDC, WHO, state, and local officials. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, so too will our decisions.

As of June 4th, all in-person PIHRA events are cancelled through the end of August.

We will continue to send updates about changes to our operations and the services we provide as new safety and health information becomes available.

While we have to make adjustments to our in-person events and content, our commitment to the success and development of HR professionals remains as strong as ever. We plan to provide content and programming on virtual platforms accessible to everyone. In the meantime, we will post general facts, resources, and company updates on pihra.org/coronavirus-resources.

We appreciate your patience during this stressful time as we do our best to serve our members and the HR community in California.

COVID-19 Public Resource Hub

New Guidance from the DOL on Administering FFCRA Leaves

Resource provided by ThinkHR

We strongly suggest that employers read through the entire Question and Answers document prior to Wednesday, so they have an understanding of how the leaves work. The following are some highlights from the updated guidance.

COVID-19 FAQ from ThinkHR [PDF]

Federal Law Alert | Families First Coronavirus Response Act:

COVID-19: April 1 Effective Date for FFCRA Leaves

On Tuesday, March 24, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the effective date of the leaves available through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will be April 1, 2020.

FFCRA Poster Questions [LINK]

Federal Workplace Posters [LINK]

Questions and Answers [LINK]

Fact Sheet for Employees [LINK]

Fact Sheet for Employer [LINK]

While the links above do not provide much new information, they are worth reviewing.

Please see our list of additional resources.

The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Employers and Workers [LINK]

In the face of the COVID-19, the Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) wants to keep workers, employers, co-workers, and families safe. What employees are entitled to may be confusing. We are trying to make it easier and spread awareness through this centralized source of info. Use the guidance below to determine what is best for you, your family, and your workplace.

Cal-WARN Act [LINK]

Relocations, Terminations and Mass Layoffs in California are regulated by Labor Code sections 1400-1408 Generally, “an employer may not order a mass layoff, relocation, or termination at a covered establishment unless, 60 days before the order takes effect, the employer gives written notice of the order” to employees and the Employment Development Department and shall include the notice elements required by the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C. section. 2101 et seq.) (Labor Code section 1401(a)-(c)).

FAQ Regarding the Cal-WARN Act [LINK]

On March 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-31-20, which addressed the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act (Lab. Code §§ 1400, et seq.) and its 60-day notice requirement for closures of establishments. Pursuant to the direction in that Order, the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Employment Development Department (EDD) provide the guidance below regarding the Order’s conditional suspension of the California WARN Act.

Filing Claims for Financial Assistance [LINK]

The one (1) week waiting period has been waived by the Governor’s Executive Order. If you are sick, quarantined, unable to work because of caregiver responsibilities or school closures, have reduced work hours or even if you’re self-employed and experiencing lost wages, you may be eligible to file an EDD claim. For employers managing workplace safety, reduced hours and potential layoffs, tax assistance may be available.

CDC Employer Guidance [LINK]

The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19.

Cal-OSHA Guidance on Protecting Workers [LINK]

Workplace safety and health regulations in California require employers to protect workers exposed to airborne infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. Cal/OSHA has posted guidance to help employers comply with these safety requirements and to provide workers information on how to protect themselves.

EEOC Pandemic Flu Guidance [LINK]

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects applicants and employees from disability discrimination, is relevant to pandemic preparation in at least three major ways. It identifies established ADA principles that are relevant to questions frequently asked about workplace pandemic planning and provides information about Titles I and V of the ADA and pandemic planning in the workplace.

Department of Industrial Relations Coronavirus Wage & Hour Guidance [LINK]

The Department of Industrial Relations has provided answers to many frequently asked questions. Need to know if an employee can use California Paid Sick Leave due to COVID-19 illness? Wondering can an employer require a worker who is quarantined to exhaust paid sick leave? Seeking options for what to do if your child’s school or day care closes for reasons related to COVID-19?

Cal-OSHA Guidance for Healthcare Workers [LINK]

The Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standard (California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 5199), contains requirements for protecting employees from diseases and pathogens transmitted by aerosols. COVID-19 is an airborne infectious disease covered by the ATD standard. This interim guidance provides employers and workers in health care settings with vital information for preventing exposure to the virus.

Family & Medical Leave Q&A [LINK]

Under the FMLA, covered employers must provide employees job-protected, unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons, which may include the flu where complications arise. Employees on FMLA leave are entitled to the continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms as existed before they took FMLA leave. Further explanation and other related questions are answered here.

Learning Resources for Children During School Closures [LINK]

Digital resources have been created that align to state standards and develop a curriculum through PBS LearningMedia, a national digital resource that offers content to support educational assignments. KQED will host online training sessions for Los Angeles Unified teachers on how to use PBS LearningMedia. Educational content will also stream on the PBS SoCal and KCET websites, on the free KCET app – available on Roku and Apple TV – and on the PBS Video app, also available on Roku, Apple TV as well as Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Family Resource Centers Available to Provide Childcare [LINK]

LAUSD has announced that 40 “family resource centers” will open to provide care for children on district campuses as of Wednesday, March 18. Once they’re open, the centers will be staffed on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. There, children will be able to have a warm meal, engage with their peers and pursue their different studies. The centers will serve as many students who have need for them. Details are still TBD.

SheppardMullin Coronavirus Insights [LINK]

On Monday, March 23 at 2:00pm, Greg Labate from Sheppard Mullin presented What to do When Managing a Remote Workforce is Mandatory. This link is Sheppard Mullin’s regularly updated resource Greg recommended during his webinar presentation.

SheppardMullin Coronavirus Insights [LINK]

Littler Coronavirus News Analysis [LINK]

Browse or search Littler’s news feed, which contains pertinent legal information specific to many states across the United States.

Access PIHRA Member Resources

PIHRA Members: these virtual tools will allow you to seek the advice and support you need now.

Support related to Coronavirus Pandemic powered by ThinkHR

PIHRA Comply

An award-winning compliance center that includes best practices on how to handle an infectious outbreak and related sample communications for employers. Plus much more.

PIHRA Live

Senior, certified HR pros are a phone call away to answer your HR questions fast.
M-F, 6:00am-5:00pm PT

Call 855-306-6460 as many times as you want. Provide required information for access.

PIHRA is an organization full of incredible human beings.

If you’re not connected to other PIHRA members, this is a great time to form relationships and attend continuing education sessions virtually. We invite you to connect on the PIHRA Forums and attend our weekly PIHRA Coronavirus Webinar Series.

HR Chats & PIHRA Forums

Stay connected with fellow humans! Experience new ways to connect with the HR Community with our new HR Chats.

Members can subscribe to PIHRA Forums, post messages, and keep in touch with your HR peers with our *new* COVID-19 discussion forum.

PIHRA Webinars

Every day brings new changes. Hear the latest developments for HR from trusted voices with our weekly COVID-19 webinar series on Monday afternoons (PT).

(NOTE: This webinar series is free and open to the entire HR & business community. Scroll down to register.)

PIHRA members can apply for FREE employee training services.

In an effort to help keep employees healthy, connected and engaged during this unprecedented crisis, PIHRA and Custom Corporate Communications (C3) will be offering free, live video-based training to qualified companies.

Training topics include:

• Full Microsoft Office suite computer training

• Leadership Development

• Process Improvement (Lean/Six Sigma)

• Time Management

• Project Management

• COVID-19 safety guidelines for organizations

• and many more

→ Learn more about this member benefit

Not a member? Contact PIHRA Member Services at membership@pihra.org now!

Become a member online at pihra.org/join-pihra.

Upcoming HR Webinars

PIHRA’s Webinar Series are designed to prepare HR for the present – and future – of work.

Tune in every week for continuing virtual education for HR. Future topics will range from work flex, culture & engagement, safety, self-care, and more. Stay tuned!

Not sure if you’re a member? Reach out to membership@pihra.org today.

View other upcoming PIHRA webinars here!