- within Compliance and Consumer Protection topic(s)
Ah, the joys of summer. Maybe it's the heat, but everything seems a little harder in the summer. The sun is melting everything in sight, and sometimes it seems everyone is on vacation, leaving a little opportunity for the rest of us to have some *gasp* free time? This is the time of year, after all, when everything just seems to slooooooooooooooow dooooooooooooooooooown.
But because we're all looking for an excuse to spend a little more time in nice air conditioned comfort, and we need to cure that summer boredom, when was the last time you updated your handbook?
Here are a few areas you may want to check while you enjoy that recycled air:
Did you update when the FEHA Regulations were amended last year?
As we discussed here, the FEHA Regulations now include many new requirements for employer policies on harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. If you haven't had an opportunity to do so, we recommend you dust off those old policies and go through the amended regulations with a fine-toothed comb to see where improvements can be made.
How about breaks?
As we reported here, the end of 2016 saw some developments in the world of rest breaks. Some traditional policies may exert a little too much control over how employees take breaks. We'd definitely use that occasional summer thunderstorm as an excuse to spend time carefully perusing that policy.
What am I wearing?
If your dress code includes gender-specific information, now is a good time to review and make some potential modifications in light of the FEHC regulations on transgender rights, described here.
Sick of sick time yet?
Not that anyone gets sick in the summer, but if your company operates in multiple jurisdictions, it's a great time to make sure no new sick law affects your employees. California now has six jurisdictions (San Francisco, Oakland, Emeryville, Santa Monica, San Diego, and Los Angeles, summarized here) with sick leave laws for private employers, with Berkeley right around the corner. Take this time to compare these ordinances and the state law with your current policy to make sure you're in great shape for the upcoming flu season.
It's also a great opportunity to spruce up your attendance policies to make sure you're not punishing your employees from properly taking absences covered by these or other leave laws.
Who's on leave?
A few years back, the California Legislature expanded those activities covered by the Family School Partnership Act, described here. So if you haven't taken a look at this policy in a while, might as well get that out of the way before school starts up this fall.
For your San Francisco folks, if you haven't had an opportunity to put together a policy/protocol covering the responsibilities of the San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance, described here, now is as good a time as any.
Also, as we discussed here, we know the law requiring the notice and posting on Domestic Violence issues became effective on July 1. Perhaps now would be a good time to consider implementing a policy on this if you don't already have one in place.
Workplace Solution?
Although not every change in the law will make you toss out that old handbook, we do think an annual review, whether over a relaxing summer break or as you shiver indoors this winter, is a great opportunity to ensure you're complying with the ever-evolving California and local laws. It can also serve as a reminder to compare your handbook with any benefit documents referred to inside.
Go ahead and spend a few minutes with a nice icy glass of lemonade and curl up with your favorite summer read: the company handbook! And contact your favorite Seyfarth counselor to get yours in ship shape before the kiddos come home from camp, and everything gets crazy for back to school.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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