The Workplace: a Podcast by CalChamber

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss the difference between “restricted” and “unrestricted” on-call shifts, and what issues may arise with the Paycheck Protection Program if employers place workers on on-call shifts.

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss how the federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act interact with California laws; how to handle paid time for these new laws; the importance of written documentation; and recommendations for employers.

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, discuss the variety of federal COVID-19 loan programs available for businesses of all sizes, and provide tips on how businesses can prepare for the new economic landscape that awaits.

As employers shift to a work-from-home workplace model, many are finding that managing telework has its own set of challenges. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss remote work best practices, such as ways to ensure workers are taking mandated rest breaks, reimbursing expenses, establishing COVID-19-specific policies, and maintaining a harassment-free environment.

Even more unpredictable than a recession, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced business owners to take a hard look at their viability and make very difficult business decisions. Many have closed up shop, are reducing their workforce or determining how to keep employees on the payroll in the midst of severe economic uncertainty. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank is joined by employment law expert Jennifer Shaw to discuss important considerations and requirements for employers when they undergo a reduction in force (RIF). 

Starting today, qualifying small businesses may apply for the federal loans offered through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg, and Golden Pacific Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Virginia Varela and Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer Joseph P. McClure discuss what small business loan programs are available through the CARES Act and how business owners can determine which program best meets their needs.

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert James Ward discuss key points and guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on the Families First Coronavirus Reponse Act (FCCRA), which takes effect on April 1.

With nearly half of the country under stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government on Friday passed a historic $2.2 trillion package that will provide economic relief for Americans, businesses and the health care industry. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg discusses the newly-passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with economist Christopher Thornberg, going over what it means for businesses, employees and the broader economy.

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank is joined by employment law experts Bianca Saad and Matthew Roberts to discuss the most common coronavirus-related questions employers and human resources professionals have been asking the CalChamber’s Labor Law Helpline this past week.

The federal government passed a coronavirus emergency relief package on March 18 that provides protected paid leave to workers impacted by COVID-19. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg is joined by employment law expert Benjamin Ebbink and CalChamber Executive Vice President Jennifer Barrera to discuss what employers should know about the new Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act.

Editor’s Note: The Department of Labor on March 24 advanced the effective date of the Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Families Leave Act to April 1, 2020. At the time of the podcast recording, the effective date was April 2.