Cal/OSHA has enacted a standard detailing notification and reporting requirements for when there is a COVID-19 case in the workplace. Per the standard, a COVID-19 case is defined as someone who: Has a positive COVID-19 test;Has a positive COVID-19 diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider;Is subject to a COVID-19-related order to isolate issued by a local or state health official; orHas died due to COVID-19, in the determination of a local health department or per inclusion in the COVID-19 statistics of the country. Under Cal/OSHA’s standard, when the employer knows or should have known there is a COVID-19 case in... READ MORE

Employers face substantial risks due to misclassification of their workers and not abiding by the myriad of California wage and hour laws. These landmines for unaware employers, have enormous, business-breaking ramifications due to the substantial penalties that could quickly compound and potentially be a million-dollar liability for an organization. By understanding the applicable requirements and their penalties, employers will better understand their exposure and ensure they take necessary proactive steps to avoid them. What are the most common issues that arise when facing a wage-related claim? Overtime: Unpaid overtime for all work performed in excess of 8 hours in a... READ MORE

When you are moving your business into a new space whether an office, industrial or retail location, there are a number of decisions and protections you’ll want to consider before signing a lease agreement with a landlord. The lease agreement comes in many forms and every situation is unique, which is why it’s important for you as the tenant to review the document with a qualified business or real estate attorney. Keep in mind that lease terms are always negotiable. You can assume that the document presented to you by the landlord favors the landlord and of course in many... READ MORE

Many families hire workers at their home to provide a variety of services from housecleaning, cooking, child care, as well as elderly care. However, most families are unaware that the same or similar wage and hour laws that apply at places of business also apply to the people who work for them at home. In fact, we have seen an alarming trend of high exposure (Several Hundred Thousand Dollars) domestic worker claims in recent years. Consequently, it is critical that household employers are in compliance with all applicable wage and hour requirements to avoid their exposure to these wage and hour claims.... READ MORE

On March 19, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsome signed a new Covid-19 Supplemental Paid Leave (“SPSL”) into law. The new SPSL is similar to the prior Covid-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law that expired on December 31, 2020. The new law came into effect on March 29, 2021 and applies retroactively to January 1, 2021. The key and important issues to understand are as follows: Covered Employers: All employers with 26 or more employees are covered by the new SPSL. Covered Employees: The new law added 5 additional types of coverages that did not exist in the prior laws. The covered... READ MORE

Running a business is challenging enough despite the additional complications that can come with unforeseen circumstances whether that be a pandemic or sudden need to pivot quickly. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has long noted that 80% of businesses survive the first year, but almost half of the businesses fail by year five. Why is this? Why Many Small Businesses Fail The reason that these small businesses fail, first and foremost, is directly related to lack of business planning. Over the past several years, Chase Law Group has worked with entrepreneurs and small business owners from the time they start... READ MORE

Article written by Brian H. Cole, Associate Attorney, Chase Law Group, P.C. Have you ever considered looking into buying a franchise? There are many attractive aspects of this particular business model. Generally speaking, a franchise has an infrastructure already established to help owners and managers run the day-to-day operations, plus a known franchise has built-in brand equity. These are huge benefits for a business owner. On the other hand, like any business, there is a considerable amount of work, employee management, customer service and marketing efforts that the owner or manager will still need to take on and often follow... READ MORE