In keeping pace with state and federal agencies that are updating public health guidance around COVID-19, San Francisco once again revised its Public Health Order on January 26, 2022 to address vaccination and masking requirements for various businesses that operate in San Francisco, many of which went into effect February 1, 2022. While the California Department of Public Health continues to order most Californians to wear masks in indoor public places, through February 15, 2022, San Francisco authorities seem to believe that because of its previous restrictions, it can create the exceptions identified below.
San Francisco
San Francisco Will Tax Employers Based on CEO Pay Ratio
San Francisco’s Measure L, which passed with the overwhelming support of the voters, will be effective in 2022 for businesses operating in the City of San Francisco. Measure L titled the “Overpaid Executive Gross Receipts Tax”, imposes a supplementary tax on gross receipts or payroll expenses of any business in
San Francisco Bay Area and City of Berkeley Issue Mask Mandates for Even Fully-Vaccinated Individuals
On August 2, 2021, the City and County of San Francisco updated Health Officer Order No. C19-07y, entitled “Encouraging COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Reducing Disease Risks (Safer Return Together),” to require all individuals, including the fully vaccinated, to wear face coverings in indoor public settings, with some exceptions.
Bay Area Reinstates Indoor Masking Mandate
On August 2nd, seven Bay Area counties and the city of Berkeley joined the ranks of Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Yolo counties in issuing local ordinances that reinstitute indoor masking mandates. The orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with
New Year, New Rates for CA EDD Benefits and Under the San Francisco Paid Family Leave Ordinance
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has released the Voluntary Plan Employee Contribution and Benefit Rates for 2021.
Employers are required to withhold and send state disability contributions to the EDD. The 2021 rates are as follows:
Employee Contribution Rate 1.2% Taxable Wage Ceiling (per
San Francisco Issues Mandatory Travel Quarantine Due to ‘Rapid Increase’ in COVID-19 Cases
On December 16, 2020, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) issued Order of the Health Officer No. C19-17 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases that the department said could quickly “overwhelm hospitals” in the county, as well as the rest of California, unless the City took measures
San Francisco Enacts “Tourist Hotel” Ordinance Requiring New Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols and Prohibiting Retaliation
“Tourist hotels” in San Francisco must soon comply with Ordinance No. 208-20 enacted on October 9, 2020, which establishes cleaning and disease prevention standards and practices to help contain COVID-19. The ordinance also requires employers to provide training related to these standards for employees, grants employees work and anti-retaliation
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction Requiring Uber and Lyft to Re-Classify Independent Contractors as Employees
Introduction: On May 12, 2020, we reported on a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the city attorneys of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego against Uber and Lyft on May 5, 2012, seeking to require them to reclassify their drivers as employees, entitled California v. Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc., San Francisco Superior Court Case No. CGC-20-584402 (discussed in further detail here).
Operating Your Business in San Francisco During the Coronavirus Pandemic
While many counties around California moved into accelerated reopening, San Francisco County set its own pace. Though San Francisco has paused some reopening for now, as COVID-19 infection rates change, additional businesses will eventually be permitted to reopen.
San Francisco created detailed requirements for businesses, whether essential or otherwise, to
San Francisco Back to Work Emergency Ordinance in Effect as of July 3rd
At the end of June, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an emergency ordinance creating a right of reemployment for certain employees laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance became effective on July 3rd. Although Mayor Breed did not sign the ordinance, the City Charter allows the
New San Francisco Emergency Ordinance Requires Layoff Notices, Reemployment Rights and Reasonable Accommodation for Eligible Workers
On July 3, 2020, San Francisco Mayor London Breed (D) returned unsigned1 File Number 200455, an emergency ordinance that took effect immediately and now requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide written notice when layoffs occur, grants reemployment rights for employees impacted by COVID-19-related job separations, and prohibits
San Francisco Passes Reemployment Ordinance
On June 23, 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an emergency ordinance temporarily creating a right to reemployment for certain employees laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance, titled “Back to Work” emergency ordinance, requires that as certain employers reopen, they must first seek to rehire