Compliance with laws and regulations is a critical aspect of running a small business. Keeping up with the ever-changing legal landscape can be a challenge, but failure to comply with regulations can result in costly penalties, legal action, and damage to a business’s reputation. By staying informed and taking steps to ensure compliance, small business owners can protect themselves and their businesses from potential legal liabilities.
In addition, being in compliance with laws and regulations can help to create a level playing field for small businesses, allowing them to compete with larger businesses and to foster a positive image in the eyes of consumers and other stakeholders. Overall, compliance is a key component of responsible business management and should not be overlooked or neglected by small business owners.
Several new laws went into effect in California on January 1, 2023, which impact businesses in the state:
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SB 95: This bill requires employers to provide COVID-19-related sick leave to employees who cannot work due to quarantine or isolation orders or to care for a family member who is quarantined.
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AB 267: This law expands the definition of sexual harassment in the workplace and requires all California employers with five or more employees to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees, including supervisors and managers, within six months of hire or promotion and once every two years after that.
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AB 579: This bill extends the application of existing discrimination protections to all employees, regardless of the employer’s size, and expands the definition of “employee” to include independent contractors who perform labor or services for a hiring entity.
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SB 41: This law requires employers to provide lactation accommodations to employees, such as a private space for breastfeeding or expressing milk, and to allow employees to take breaks as needed to do so.
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SB 95: This bill requires employers to provide COVID-19-related sick leave to employees who cannot work due to quarantine or isolation orders or to care for a family member who is quarantined.
These are just some of the new laws that went into effect in California on January 1, 2023, that impact businesses in the state. Therefore, employers must stay informed of law changes and ensure they comply.
Small businesses can find information on new legislation that impacts their businesses in several places:
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State government websites: Most state government websites have a section dedicated to providing information for businesses, including updates on new laws and regulations.
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Chamber of Commerce: Local chambers often provide information and resources for small businesses, including updates on new laws and regulations.
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Industry organizations: Trade and professional organizations for specific industries often provide updates on new laws and regulations that impact their industries.
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Legal resources: Legal resources, such as websites and publications, can provide information on new laws and regulations that impact businesses.
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Accountants or lawyers: Small business owners can consult their accountants or lawyers for advice on how new laws and regulations may impact their businesses.
It is important for small businesses to stay informed of changes in the law and to make sure they comply, as non-compliance can result in penalties and legal consequences.
Creating Partnerships
At ZümiFi, we understand the difficulties in staying current with the constantly changing legislative landscape, which is why we partner with legal and other professionals to ensure that our clients are always informed. By doing so, we aim to ease the burden of compliance and provide peace of mind for our clients.