Volume VII, Issue 1

Legislative Updates: Important Changes that Affect California Employers.

Below is a synopsis of what's new and important in employment law.

• CA Senate Bill 1304: Paid leave for Organ and Blood Marrow Donors: Who's affected? Employers with 15 or more employees. Recommended Actions: Update Employee Handbook policies to reflect paid time off policies in accordance with SB1304. See Senate Bill 1304
  

 

• CA Updated Requirements for Worker's Compensation Postings, Filings and Pamphlets: Who's affected? All California employers. Recommended Actions: Post the new 2011 Labor Law poster available from Payroll Systems and download the new filing form and pamphlet from the CA Department of Industrial Relations.See
  Updated Fact Sheet
  Updated Poster
  Updated DWI Claim Form

   

• San Francisco minimum wage increase to $9.92 per hour effective January 1, 2011. Who's affected? All employers that have employees performing work in San Francisco, regardless of where the employer is located. Recommended actions: adjust employee wages accordingly and display workplace poster. See San Francicso Office of Labor Standards Enforcement
  

 

• Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), CA Senate Bill 1088. Adult children may remain on their parents' health care policies and plans until age 26, for plans new or renewing on or after September 23, 2010. Who's affected? All employers offering group health plans. Recommended actions: notify dependents potentially affected and comply with 30 day enrollment election period.

 

• Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) Federal Final Regulations were issued November 9, 2010. GINA: 1)Prohibits employers from using genetic information in making employment decisions; 2) Strictly limits the disclosure of genetic information and 3) forbids the discrimination, harassment and retaliation related to genetic information. Who's affected? All employers. Recommended actions: add the phrase "genetic status" to the list of protected classes in all policies, handbooks and workplace posters.

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Payroll System's
2011 Holiday Schedule
Payroll Systems will be closed on the listed holidays. If you have any questions about how these dates affect your payroll schedule, please ask your payroll specialist for clarification.

February 21, 2011 - Monday - President's Day

May 30, 2011 - Monday - Memorial Day

July 4, 2011 - Monday - Independence Day

September 5, 2011 - Monday - Labor Day

November 24, 2011 - Thursday - Thanksgiving Weekend

November 25, 2011 - Friday - Thanksgiving Weekend

December 23, 2011 - Friday - Open 8am-12pm

December 26, 2011 - Monday - Christmas Day Observed

January 2, 2012 - Monday - New Year's Day Observed

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Mileage Rates for 2011:
Issued by the IRS beginning January 1, 2011, the business mileage rates may be used to reimburse an employee for business use of a personal vehicle. The standard mileage rates for use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck are:

$.51 cents per mile for business miles driven

$.19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes

$.14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

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Updated 2011 Wage and Tax Information:

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Transportation Benefits 2011
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, enacted on December 17, 2010 extended the increased monthly amount of $230 that can be excluded from wages for employer provided transportation fringe benefits for van pool, transit pass benefits, and employer provided parking. See
IRS Publication 15-B
Did you know? Payroll Systems will set up your Section 132 Transportation Plan, complete with summary plan description and enrollment forms, easily administrated by the busiest of employers.

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Employee portion of FICA decreased by 2% for 2011
Employees will see a two percent decrease in their Social Security (FICA) tax withholding rate, from 6.2% to 4.2% of wages paid, effective January 2011. This reduction in employee-paid FICA taxes is for calendar year 2011 only, and is a result of the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. The reduced Social Security withholding will have no affect on the future Social Security Benefits, according to irs.gov..

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Go Green! Employee Self Service
Payroll Systems provides customers with an employee portal service, where employees can access payroll check details, year to date information and electronic W-2s. The secure web portal is a convenient information source for employees to access their payroll data and if combined with paperless payroll service, one more step in reducing paper usage for a greener environment.

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Our Website has a
New Look!
Although our web address remains the same, we've updated our look and services. From COBRA and employee benefits administration, to expanded HR and compensation services, we have the answer for your organization.

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To ensure your payroll is processed the same day we receive it, you must call
or fax in your payroll information no later than 1:00 PM.