Cupertino Business News December 2021 😷. That's right, the year is almost over..again!
Cupertino Business News

We are open.. except from
Dec 24, 2021 thru Jan 3, 2022
 (408) 252-7054  I   www.cupertino-chamber.org

The COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards are still in effect.
The latest order from the California Department of Public Health on December 13, 2021 requires the use of face coverings by all employees when indoors.
More information on the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards is available in Cal/OSHA's Frequently Asked Questions.

Give the Gift of Shopping Local

 The I Love Cupertino e-Gift Card lets you enjoy local restaurants, shops, and entertainment in Cupertino.

This year, Cupertino needs you to keep shopping local. Small businesses are trying to weather the Covid-19 storm and need your support more than ever. The I Love Cupertino e-Gift Card is a community-based digital gift card that makes it easy to keep local spending local. 

This simple program requires two steps:

  1. Tell your favorite business to sign-up (It's FREE and easy. Just like running a MasterCard)
  2. Buy an I Love Cupertino e-Gift Card to give, share, and use.

Purchase an I Love Cupertino e-Gift Card here to use at any of Cupertino's participating shops. 

Five Steps For California Employers To Prepare For 2022

As 2021 is quickly coming to an end, this article focuses on five steps employers can take in preparation for 2022:

1. Update employee handbooks to comply with AB 1033 which expanded the definition of family members covered under the California Family Rights Act.

AB 1033 passed in 2021 and takes effect on January 1, 2022, adds parents-in-law to the definition of “parent” for purposes of qualifying leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).  As a reminder, effective January 1, 2021,  SB 1383 took effect that requires employers with 5 or more employees to comply with the CFRA.  Employers with as few as five employees must provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid job protected leave during any 12-month period for certain covered reasons. 

2.  Review new hire packets and documents to ensure employees are receiving all required documents, and the most current versions of the required documents.

California employers are required to provide certain information and forms to new hires.  For example, California employers are required to provide non-exempt employees with certain information upon hire as required by the Wage Theft Protection Act.  The law became effective in 2012 and is codified at Labor Code section 2810.5.  Many employers use the Labor Commissioner’s template (available here) to meet their legal requirement, and will pre-populate the items in the form that do not change from employee to employee, lessening the information required to be completed on the form for each employee. A prior article here covers general considerations for employers to develop a checklist specific for their company.

3. Exempt employees – review and update salary to ensure minimum threshold is paid.

Employers need to review the base salary for all exempt employees to ensure the employees meet the salary required to be exempt.  To be exempt from the requirement of having to pay overtime to the employee, the employee must perform specified duties in a particular manner and be paid “a monthly salary equivalent to no less than two times the state minimum wage for full-time employment.” (Lab. Code, § 515, subd. (a).)  For more information about the salary basis test for exempt employees, see the previous article here.

4. Update severance agreements to ensure they comply with recent developments.

AB 331 was approved by the Governor on October 7, 2021, and its provisions applies to employment agreements (specifically severance agreements, settlements agreements, or a release of claims) entered into on or after January 1, 2022.  AB 331, known as the “Silenced No More Act,” amends Code of Civil Procedure Section 1001 and prohibits settlement agreements filed in “a civil action” or a complaint in “an administrative action” from preventing the disclosure of factual information related to the claim.  This applies to claims for sexual harassment, as well as workplace harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on any other protected characteristic under California law. More information about AB 331 can be read in the prior article here.

5. Begin preparing in order to meet the March 31, 2022 deadline for California’s payroll reporting requirement.

California employers will need to comply with the March 31, 2022 deadline to report certain payroll data to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).  Yes, it is only the beginning of December, but for large employers, they should begin the process of gathering this information at the beginning of 2022 in order to meet the March deadline. The prior article on which employers must comply and other requirements of the law can be read here.

The Cupertino Minimum Wage will increase to $16.40 per hour effective January 1, 2022

Wage Watch Image 2022

Join a City Commission
 
Join a Commission to make a real impact on our city! There are open vacancies on most commissions. Commissioners are appointed by the City Council, and the only criteria is that you are a resident. For more information on how to apply, please contact us here, or find out more from the City of Cupertino website here. Applications are being accepted until January 7, 2021 ast 4:30pm for the upcoming terms.
Renewing Members Investing in Cupertino
Did You Know?

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Chamber Events

Happy Holidays! (That's right, ALL of them!)
Monday, Dec 23, 2021, thru Friday, Jan 3, 2022
Chamber Office Closed - Happy Holidays

Friday, Jan 07, 2022
Virtual event
2022 January Legislative Action Committee with Mayor Darcy Paul and New City Manager Jim Throop (pronounced "Troop")

Thursday, January 20, 2022
In-person event
2022 Cupertino Chamber Board Installation and Reception
Quinlan Community Center (Cupertino Room)
5:30pm - 7pm

 
Saturday, Feb 05, 2022
Summer Camp Fair 2022
In-person event
9:30am - 3:30pm
Cupertino Community Hall

Thursday, Feb 11, 2022
In-person event
2021 Lunar New Year Celebrating the Year of the Tiger
Location TBD

 
Member Event

This Saturday. Help honor our veterans
Saturday, Dec 18, 2021
In-person event
10am
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
22555 Cristo Rey Dr
Los Altos, CA 94024

Wreaths Across America 2021


Business Resources

City of Cupertino

COUNTY INFO and Links

Cal/OSHA – Guidance to Protect Your Business and Employees
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