News from the Office of Small Business below. Plus, here's a helpful resource from the Office of Small Business to remind you of annual business-related due dates for 2019.
1. 2019 CA Labor Laws Update
There is a new legislation requirement regarding Sexual Harassment Training and Education that require action by January 1, 2020. SB 1343 will affect all businesses with 5 or more employees. Employers must provide at least two hours of training to supervisory employees and at least one hour to training to non-supervisory employees by January 1, 2020, and every two years thereafter.
The Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) will develop two online training courses, one for supervisory employers and one for non-supervisory employees, and make them available on the DFEH website. Although the online training courses are not available yet, DFEH has posted a FAQ page about SB 1343. We'll share more updates as we have further information on this new requirement.
2. Accessible Business Entrance Program: January 1st Deadline for Category 1 & 2
Are you a small business owner impacted by the Accessible Business Entrance Program (ABE)?
The Office of Small Business is here to help. The ABE requires property owners of buildings that have public-serving businesses to make primary entrances accessible to people with disabilities.
January 1, 2019 is the first compliance deadline for Category 1 and 2 buildings. If you are a business that owns your building, review the program requirements for compliance details. If you are not going to make your deadline, the ordinance allows for a request for 6 month extension for reasonable delay; complete and submit the extension request form to DBI as soon as possible.
OSB has ramped up our support services for businesses who are in need of help navigating compliance. We provide one-on-one case assistance to explain compliance steps, identify landlord vs. tenant responsibilities and identifying a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) to survey the entryway. Visit OSB’s ABE webpage for information. Contact Rhea Aguinaldo at (415) 554-6408 or rhea.aguinaldo@sfgov.org for help regarding the ABE.
3. CalSavers Retirement Savings Program
The CalSavers Retirement Savings Program will open to all eligible employers beginning July 1, 2019. The CalSavers program will ensure nearly all Californians have access to a workplace retirement savings program. CalSavers offers employees a completely voluntary, low cost, portable retirement savings vehicle with professionally managed investments and oversight from a public, transparent board of directors.
CalSavers provides employees a retirement savings program without the administrative complexity, fees, or fiduciary liability of existing options for employers. Any employer with at least five employees that doesn’t already offer a workplace retirement savings vehicle will be required to either begin offering one via the private market or provide their employees access to CalSavers. After CalSavers opens for enrollment, covered employers can register for CalSavers at any time and will be required to comply by the following deadlines:
100< employees, deadline June 30, 2020
50< employees, deadline June 30, 2021
5+ employees, deadline June 30, 2022
Click here for more information.