Los Alamitos Chamber Chairwoman Nesi Stewart welcomed her membership to an online meeting of the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce this week.
Stewart welcomed Chamber members back to an online attendance comparable to their pre-COVID monthly networking breakfasts at Madera’s.
The Chamber has not met since the onset of the coronavirus and Stewart acknowledged that small businesses face sufficient challenges in today’s environment. Stewart said she was pleased to see so many members attending the meeting.
Stewart introduced Chuck Landon, of Landon HR Consulting and attorney Wendy Sugg, both of whom specialize in providing guidance to businesses in this rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Landon briefed the members on changes to compliance measures and other human relations issue that have formed around the pandemic. He said the “state treats COVID-19 cases unlike any other workplace injury.”
Businesses must now adopt, and effectively communicate, a variety of “protocols” to their employees, visitors and they must comply with other measures, said Landon. He also explained the “risks of working remotely.”
Establishments must follow certain protocols involving physical distancing, face mask usage, infection mitigation measures, etc., and keep sufficient records in the event of being questioned by any number of agencies, he said.
In one example, Landon briefly reviewed 23 measures as part of “Workplace Policies and Practices that Protect Employee Health,” including such things as dedicating an employee as responsible for compliance and a plan for testing and contract tracing should that become necessary.
He also explained the nuanced differences between the compliance in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Attorney Wendy Sugg, meanwhile, explained to the business owners the legal side of things should an employee become infected or similar incidence.
She explained, for instance, what exactly should be done inside the business, in terms of which employees must be tested, which ones are eligible for paid sick leave, and how long, etc. should an infection occur.
Sugg also explained the legal implications of such things as Executive Orders issued by the governor, among others. Prevention is always the best medicine, she said, adding that
“you need to be ready when it happens.”
Landon runs Landon HR in Los Alamitos and Sugg is a member of an area law firm, Sugg & Paracuellos, LLP.
Courtesy photos