554 West Lancaster Boulevard Lancaster, CA 93534 (661) 948-4518

Serving the community by Promoting, Protecting, Encouraging and Developing Business since 1902

Business Connection

July 2016

In this Month's Issue

Membership Luncheon

California's Sick Leave Law

The Month In Pictures

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Executive Committee

Chairwoman of the Board

Gina Rossall, Westside Union School District

Chair-Elect
Monica Grado, George's Cleaners

Past Chairman of the Board

Josh Mann, Waste Management

Vice-Chair
Luis Garibay, City of Lancaster

Vice-Chair

Katy Nelson, Hunter Dodge

Treasurer
Austin Rice, Alden & Associates, LLP

Secretary

Terry Roth, JAG Insurance Agency, Inc.

Ex-Officio
Mark Hemstreet - Chief Executive Officer, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors

Theresa Dawson, Lancaster Sheriff's Station

Rosemary Mann, Camille's Sidewalk Cafe

Charles Hoey, Charles Hoey & Associates

Chris Spicher, Antelope Valley Florist

Gene Melchers, Melchers Construction

Elizabeth Diachun, Antelope Valley
College

Shandra Goben, TownePlace Suites

Bernie Longjohn, Learn 4 Life

Barry White, Carpeteria

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Office Staff

Mark Hemstreet, Chief Executive Officer

Sharon Molnar, Office Coordinator

Anna Zarley, Event Coordinator

New and Renewing Members

June

Introducing Our Newest Members!

AM Cafe

Mike Axley

44205 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-9400

California Institute of

Health & Social Services

Jasmine Avilez

38345 30th Street East, Ste D-2

Palmdale, CA 93552

(661) 265-1101

Equal Chances

Azize Coskun

848 West Lancaster Blvd, Ste 102

Lancaster, CA 93534

(310) 647-7616

Heartland Payment Systems

Richard Newton

Canyon Country, CA 91351

(661) 424-9081

JAG Insurance Agency, Inc.

Terry Roth

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 547-3144

Primo Burgers

Paul Zerounian

44275 Division Street

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 510-6534

ROGEE Real Estate

Century 21 Yarrow

Rogee Rogers

44143 20th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(800) 752-7162

SYGMA Network, Inc.

Karla Bulluck

46905 47th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 206-6585

Vets 4 Veterans

Tommie Hilzendeger

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 714-0454

Vinyl Alley / Voodoo Vinyl

Tony Pinker

765 West Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 945-6511

We Are Pleased to Present Our Renewing Members

ISU Stephen B Marvin Insurance

43700 17th Street West, Ste 101

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-1101

Member Since: 1937

Monte Vista Building Sites

42220 10th Street West, Ste 101

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-0435

Member Since: 1940

George's Cleaners

44759 Beech Avenue

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-4124

Member Since: 1947

Antelope Valley Florist

1302 West Avenue J

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 948-6006

Member Since: 1956

Halley-Olsen-Murphy

Funerals and Cremations

44831 Cedar Street

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-1139

Member Since: 1961

Desert Operating Company

2557 Still Meadow Lane

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 942-7575

Member Since: 1961

American Medical Response

1055 West Avenue J

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 945-9310

Member Since: 1976

Coldwell Banker / Hartwig RE

Burle Patterson

43912 20th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 948-8424

Member Since: 1976

W A Thompson Distributing Co.

45545 Trevor Avenue

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-0479

Member Since: 1976

A V Engineering

129 West Pondera Street

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 948-0805

Member Since: 1985

A V Ford / Lincoln / Mercury/ Mazda

1155 Auto Mall Drive

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 949-3586

Member Since: 1987

America's Best Value Inn

44131 Sierra Highway

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 945-8771

Member Since: 1987

Antelope Valley Animal Hospital

1326 West Avenue N

Palmdale, CA 93551

(661) 273-1234

Member Since: 1987

Antelope Valley Fair Association

2551 West Avenue H, Ste 102

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 948-6060

Member Since: 1987

Antelope Valley Health Care

44445 15th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 948-7051

Member Since: 1987

Antelope Valley Hospital

1600 West Avenue J

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 949-5000

Member Since: 1987

Edwards Federal Credit Union

44288 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 952-5945

Member Since: 1987

Lancaster Moving & Storage

45652 Division Street

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 942-7515

Member Since: 1987

Law Office of Thompson Von Tungeln

857 West Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 945-5868

Member Since: 1987

Michael Glass, DDS

44563 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 948-6039

Member Since: 1987

Metro Floors, Inc

44109 Yucca Avenue

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 949-1501

Member Since: 1987

Sierra Medical Group

39115 Trade Center Drive, Ste 130

Palmdale, CA 93551

(661) 273-7346

Member Since: 1987

Universal Electronic Alarm

709 West Avenue I

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 940-8669

Member Since: 1987

American Cancer Society

815 Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 945-7585

Member Since: 1988

Robert S. Wolf Insurance & Financial

44421 10th Street West, Ste F

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 945-8003, Ext 101

Member Since: 1989

TV Land

PO Box 1467

Rosamond, CA 93560

(661) 256-8141

Member Since: 1990

Wal-Mart Store # 1563

44665 Valley Central Way

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 940-8744

Member Since: 1990

West Park Villas

1800 West Avenue J-12

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 949-1562

Member Since: 1990

Living Stone Cathedral of Worship

37721 100th Street East

Littlerock, CA 93543

(661) 944-4128

Member Since: 1992

Ramon's Restaurant

1431 Rosamond Blvd, Ste 10

Rosamond, CA 93560

(661) 256-4602

Member Since: 1992

Hometown Directory

4145 Manly Rd

Rosamond, CA 93560

(661) 823-9111

Member Since: 1993

Bethel Christian School

3100 West Avenue K

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 943-2224

Member Since: 1996

California Tile Supply Company

42704 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-2545

Member Since: 1996

Cobb Doerfler & Associates

1039 West Avenue J, Ste B

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-6103

Member Since: 1996

Commercial Services Unlimited

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 726-0071

Member Since: 1996

K-Swiss Shoe Outlet

44950 Valley Central Way, Ste 102-1/2

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 940-7666

Member Since: 1996

Kuzyk Law

1700 West Avenue K, Ste 101

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 945-6969

Member Since: 1996

Joshua Memorial Park & Mortuary

808 East Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 942-8125

Member Since: 1998

Prestige Assisted Living

43454 30th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 949-2177

Member Since: 1999

Gordon D Elder, DC

44901 10th Street West, Ste A

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 726-9333

Member Since: 2000

Suburban Propane, LP

46151 Sierra Highway

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-5117

Member Since: 2000

McDonald's

2511 Rosamond Blvd

Rosamond, CA 93560

(661) 256-4530

Member Since: 2001

AV Chem Dry

Palmdale, CA 93551

(661) 722-9342

Member Since: 2002

Camille's Sidewalk Cafe

44140 20th Street West, Ste 101

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 940-5878

Member Since: 2004

Mission Bank

43830 20th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 949-9038

Member Since: 2007

American Plumbing Services, Inc

42217 12th Street West, Ste B

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 266-0132

Member Since: 2008

The Pacifica Company

42231 6th Street West, Unit 208

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 294-8700

Member Since: 2008

Lancaster United Methodist Church

918 West Avenue J

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 942-0419

Member Since: 2009

Sakura Buffet

44840 Valley Central Way

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 951-8338

Member Since: 2010

Academy for the Advancement

of Children with Autism

6742 East Avenue H

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 946-1234

Member Since: 2012

iLead Lancaster Charter School

254 East Avenue K-4

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 609-1489

Member Since: 2012

Security Defenders

528 West Milling Street

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 949-2581

Member Since: 2012

American Post & Parcel

43759 15th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 942-1150

Member Since: 2013

Malhi's Indian Cuisine

2007 West Avenue J

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 305-5888

Member Since: 2013

Palmdale Auto Mall

412 Auto Center Drive

Palmdale, CA 93551

(661) 449-8600

Member Since: 2013

Boba Cove & Cafe

44445 Valley Central Way

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 945-2929

Member Since: 2014

The Peanut Pedaler

Lancaster, CA 93536

(661) 916-2506

Member Since: 2014

Antelope Valley Press

PO Box 4050

Palmdale, CA 93590

(661) 273-2700

Member Since: 2015

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

43530 10th Street West, Ste 105

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 948-3499

Member Since: 2015

Interested in Becoming an Ambassador?

Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to represent the Lancaster

Chamber at many events, including breakfasts, luncheons, mixers, ribbon cuttings/grand openings and more! Through this involvement, ambassadors are able to represent the chamber while also representing and marketing their own businesses--it's truly a "win/win" relationship!

If you or someone at your place of business is interested in

participating in our comprehensive training series and ultimately

becoming an ambassador, please contact the Chamber:

(661) 948-4518

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Upcoming Events

July 2016

Ribbon Cutting / Grand Opening

Bearly Cake

7/9/2016

11:30 Am

Bearly Cake

2791 West Avenue L

Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon

7/13/2016

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

JP Eliopulos Hellenic Center

43404 30th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93536

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Parade Committee Meeting

7/14/2016

09:00 AM

Learn 4 Life

177 Holston Drive

Lancaster, CA 93534

For more Information Contact

Luis Garibay at 661-675-8600

Lancaster Chamber Quarterly Mega-Mixer

Antelope Valley Fairgrounds

7/19/2016

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Turf Club

2551 West Avenue H

Lancaster, CA 93536

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Board of Director's Meeting

7/20/2016

7:30-9:00 am

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

554 West Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Membership Orientation

7/21/2016

12:00 PM -1:00 PM

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

554 West Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster, CA 93534

All Chamber Night

Lancaster Jethawks

7/22/2016

The Hangar

45116 Valley Central Way

Lancaster, CA 93534

Family Friendly Mixer

One-Year Anniversary Celebration

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

7/25/2016

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

43530 10th Street West, Suite 105

Lancaster, CA 93534

RSVP Required : 948-4518

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Ambassador Meeting

7/27/2016

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

554 West Lancaster Blvd

Lancaster, CA 93534

Business-4-Breakfast

NEW LOCATION!!

7/28/2016

7:00 am- 8:30 am

A.M. Cafe

44205 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

RSVP: (661) 948-4518

Bakersfield Business Conference Special Pricing opportunity!

Chamber Members:

The Bakersfield Business Conference returns on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Don't miss America's best one-day program with business, investment, motivation, political and governmental thought, plus entertainment personalities and speakers on the main stage and alternative venues throughout the day.

Chamber members receive special pricing until February 1, 2016. Seating
assignments are based on receipt of purchase.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at (661) 371-2204, by mail to the Bakersfield Business Conference, PO Box 2026, Bakersfield, CA 93303, or on
our website.

For more information or to purchase tickets on the web please visit:

www.bakersfieldbusinessconference.com

ChamberSTORE

Helping Support Your Local Chamber is a

WIN-WIN!!

Take advantage of these special rates for chamber members!!

"A LA CARTE" OPPORTUNITIES:

Digital Display Ad on Chamber Wall - $250 / year (2050x1400 dpi).
Static Display Framed Poster* on chamber/visitor's center wall - $1000 / year (24x20 inches -8 AVAILABLE) -includes a free digital display for one year.
Chamber newsletter ad (600x600 dpi, includes link to your website) - $75 each or $750 for one year.
Website home page banner ad (along top of page) - $2500 per year
Website home page ad $500 / year (600x600 dpi - TWO AVAILABLE).

PACKAGES:

Package 1 - $500 - Includes one digital display ad and four newsletter ads.
Package 2 - $1000 - Includes one digital display ad, four newsletter ads, and one website home page ad (TWO AVAILABLE).
Package 3 - $1000 - includes one 24"x20" framed Chamber Wall poster* (12 AVAILABLE) and one digital display ad.

*price includes poster production costs.

ADDITIONAL MARKETING/ADVERTISING

OPPORTUNITIES:

Community Calendar member event posting.
Annual area map and directories with advertising opportunities.
Referrals - Hundreds of request directed to members "ONLY".
Mailing Labels and Membership Lists available to members "ONLY".
Chamber Radio Talk Show and Chamber YouTube Free to members "ONLY".
Your business listed in the printed and online Membership Directory (Link to your website or social media!).

Chamber Membership Lists

Labels by Alpha: $50.00

Email Data: $50.00

Please call the Chamber for more information:

(661) 948-4518

What can the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce do to help grow YOUR business???

What is Your Chamber?

Since 1902, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce has existed as a private, voluntary, nonprofit (501(C)(3) and (C)(6) business organization dedicated to improving the economic environment of business growth and prosperity. The business community now serves a greater Antelope Valley Region, with a population of more than 480,000 people.

As the Antelope Valley continues to develop and thrive, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce continues to evolve to meet the needs of its members and our growing community. The Lancaster Chamber offers a variety of benefits to help businesses, large and small, to network and grow.

Membership Benefits

Chamber Website
Monthly Business Connection E-Newsletter
Membership Directory
Membership City Map
Radio Talk Show - Free
Super AV Expo
Quarterly Mega Mixers
Social Media Marketing
Endless Networking
Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings

Monthly Events

Membership Luncheon
Business-4-Breakfast

Discount Advertisement

AV Press - Chamber Page
Video Commercials
Web Video - Business Showcase

Please call the Chamber for more information:

(661) 948-4518

OUR WEBSITE OFFERS INCREDIBLE MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR MEMBERS!

For those of you who have utilized all the wonderful features of our new website, we are confident that you have seen interest in your business grow! We are seeing

triple the traffic on our site since we rolled out the new product in late October! It's easy for our members to use and navigate and the free marketing tools that are included are state-of-the-art! If you have not yet had the opportunity to request optimization of your member page, upload coupons, classified ads, and member-to-member discounts, or submit your events and meetings to our community calendar, please log in to your account and take full advantage of these exciting ways to market your business on both our website and our mobile app! If you need us to re-send your log-in information, please contact us at:

(661) 948-4518

Lancaster Chamber

Membership Luncheon

Please join us for our monthly luncheon on

July 13th where the City of Lancaster will be rolling out a comprehensive overview of the:

2016 Climate Action Plan

We encourage everyone to take some time to look over the plan prior to the luncheon and the City of Lancaster will also have some hard-copies available for review.

To review the 2016 Climate Action Plan prior to the event please click here. Questions, comments, and dialogue are encouraged.

RSVPs are suggested for this event.

EVENT INFORMATION

Date:

July 13, 2016

Time:

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Location:

JP Eliopulos Hellenic Center

43404 30th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93536

RSVP Today!

The Chamber board of directors and staff look forward to seeing you there!

Chairwoman's Message

Summer is an exciting time for the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, and many great events will continue to happen in the coming months. I know that you will want to mark your calendars and be a part of all that makes our community a great place to be.

Speaking of great events, wasn't "A Night at the King Kamehameha Club" terrific? A luau in the desert you say-indeed, our staff did an amazing job of converting the University of Antelope Valley into our own private island if only for the night. Thanks so much to Anna, Sharon and Mark for making this event possible, and for all who attended our 114th annual installation and celebration of the work of our "retiring" Chairman Josh Mann. All of us so appreciate the commitment and devotion that you have for our community, and serving as our Chairman gave us all an opportunity to see that devotion first hand. Thank you for giving so much of yourself and your talents to the Chamber this past year. We are all richer for the gift of your time.

Remember that we have our first Chamber Luncheon on July 13th at the Hellenic Center. It will be a kickoff to our Chamber year. I apologize for missing this first meeting, but I will be attending a conference out of the area that week. Please enjoy the time for fellowship and networking, and thanks to Katie Nelson and Luis Garibay for serving as your hosts for this event.

Are you starting to think of costumes and decorating options for your business? Our annual dress and decorate contest is on the way in conjunction with the Antelope Valley Fair. We'd like everyone to make an extra effort to help make this year's contest a chance for all of us to get involved.

Thanks to Luis Garibay for chairing our parades this year. We start the year with our Antelope Valley Fair Parade on Saturday, August 20th. Volunteers are needed to help make this a success, and there are many ways you can help. A Parade Committee has been formed, and more members are always welcome. Call the Chamber Office for meeting times, exciting additions to the Parade are being considered, so please be part of the action.

This past month is a time for us to reflect on the honor of being Americans. Thanks to those who make our freedom possible today, and to our forefathers who had a vision of greatness for the United States. We are lucky that we get to operate our businesses in the US and most especially in the Lancaster Community.

I hope to see you at the various Chamber events this month.

Sincerely,

Regina Rossall, Chairwoman of the Board

2016-2017

Quarterly Mega Mixer

Join us at the

Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Turf Club

for our Quarterly Mega-Mixer!

Date

July 19, 2016

Time

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Location:

Antelope Valley Fairgrounds

Turf Club

2551 West Avenue H

Lancaster, CA 93534

Be sure to bring a raffle prize with your business card attached!

RSVPs are suggested

661-948-4518

Advertise your business in the

AV Fair Parade Program

Specs for the AV Fair Parade Program

August 20, 2016

Full Page (8 h w X 6.5 w)...........................$200.00

Half Page (3.75 h X 6.5 w).......................... $125.00

Quarter Page(3.75 h X 3 w)..........................$ 75.00

Business Card Ad (1.625 X 3 w)....................$ 25.00

Please make checks payable to:

"Lancaster Chamber of Commerce:

For credit card orders call (661) 948-4518

554 West Lancaster Blvd.

Lancaster, Ca. 93534-2534

661 948-4518 ~ 661 949-1212 Fax

2016 "Dress & Decorate" Contest

One Year Anniversary Celebration and Family Friendly Mixer!

Bring the kids and Join us in celebrating the one year anniversary of

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

Soda Tasting
Candy Tasting
Appetizers
Games
Free Give-Aways
Exclusive Discount on all purchases

Date

July 25, 2016

Time

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Location:

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

43530 10th St W #105, Lancaster, CA 93534

RSVPs are Required

661-948-4518

**Be sure to bring your raffle prizes with business cards attached**

Promote YOUR business

FREE of Charge

FREE

Chamber Radio

Talk Show

"Minding Your Business"

Minding Your Business (MYB) the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce weekly radio show features Chamber members and Friends each Saturday at 12 noon on High Desert Radio 1380am. Hosted by Chris Spicher of AV Florist and Aaron Goldstein of GoldsteinDigital. Music is by Lions Named Leo of Bakersfield, CA.

Saturdays, 12-1 pm

Call Chris Spicher: (661) 948-6006

Business-4-Breakfast

NEW LOCATION!!!

Join us for business, stay for breakfast!

Thursday, July 28, 2016

7:00 A.M.- 8:30 A.M

This Months Breakfast Sponsor:

iLead Charter Schools

NEW! Event Location

A.M. Cafe

44205 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

RSVP: 948-4518

Be sure to bring plenty of business cards and a raffle prize to promote your business!

*Please note - If you RSVP and do not attend you will be invoiced for $12.00.

10 Things Businesses Might Not Know About California's Paid Sick Leave Law

One year ago today, California employers had to begin providing the paid sick leave (PSL) benefit to their employees. To highlight several less-known aspects of the PSL benefit and provide practical tips to follow, the California Chamber of Commerce has released a Capitol News Report video, along with a white paper and infographic.

Paid sick leave questions continue to trouble many employers who want to comply, but are unsure about certain parts of the law. The latest CalChamber Capitol News Report, featuring Erika Frank, CalChamber vice president, legal affairs, and general counsel, and Jeff Belaski, general manager of the Waffle Experience, calls attention to how the PSL policy is implemented, accrual methods, record keeping and penalties.

1. The Law Covers Most Employers And Employees

Even though the paid sick leave law received a lot of press, some businesses still seem surprised about the new law, perhaps thinking it does not apply to them.

Unlike other leave laws, such as the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) or federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), there is no size requirement before the PSL law applies to a company. The law applies to all employers, big and small.

Moreover, PSL must be provided to all types of employees: part-time, hourly, temporary, seasonal, exempt and nonexempt. Any employee who has worked in California for the same employer for 30 or more days within one year from the beginning of his/her employment will be entitled to PSL.

2. Even If You Had A Generous Policy In The Past, It May Need Revising

Some employers may be under the impression that if they already had a generous paid sick leave or paid time off (PTO) policy in place, they don't need to do anything to comply with the new PSL law. But this is probably not true.

For example:

Many policies that voluntarily provided paid sick leave or PTO in the past did not allow employees to use the time to care for all of the family members who are currently covered by the new law (see discussion below). Policies may need to be updated to eliminate illegal limits on how PSL can be used.
Many paid sick policies in effect before the new law didn't cover part-time employees, who are now covered.
Pre-PSL policies also may contain insufficient accrual rates; specific rules apply regarding grandfathering in previously used accrual methods.

Employers will need to carefully compare any pre-existing policy with the requirements of the new PSL law to make sure the policy complies.

3. You Can Use Different Methods For Different Groups of Employees

Employers have various options for providing the sick leave benefit. Generally speaking, these divide themselves into accrual options (such as the option to provide one hour for every 30 hours worked) and a lump-sum option where the employer places the full amount of leave (three days/24 hours) in the employee's leave bank at the beginning of each year of employment, calendar year or 12-month period.

4. You Can Cap Accrual And Limit The Amount Of Time An Employee Can Take

If your company chooses to use an accrual method, you should consider whether you want to impose a cap on how much PSL an employee can accrue. Under the statutory accrual method of one hour per every 30 hours worked, full-time employees will accrue nearly nine days of paid sick leave each year. Those days will carry over to the next year and continue to accrue unless you impose a cap.

The PSL law allows employers to impose an accrual cap of 48 hours or six days. Once the employee reaches this cap, he/she will not continue to accrue PSL until he/she has used up some banked time.

The law also allows an employer to limit the amount of PSL an employee can use/take in any one year to three days or 24 hours. This is separate from the cap on accrual. An employer can both cap the amount that is carried over to the next year and limit the amount of PSL that an employee can use in any one given year.

Inform your employees of any cap on accrual or limitation on annual use that your company has enacted, preferably through a written policy.

5. Paid Sick Leave Can Be Used For Many Different Family Members

Paid sick leave isn't just for your employee to use when he or she is sick. Your employee also can use PSL to care for a child, parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild or sibling.

Paid sick leave may also be used by an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

6. Paid Sick Leave Is Protected: Check Your Attendance Policies

PSL is protected time off. Employers can't retaliate or discriminate against employees who use or try to use PSL.

Employers will want to look at any absence control policies they have in place.

7. No Doctor's Note Required

The law states that PSL must be provided when an employee makes a verbal or written request for the time off. If the need for time off is foreseeable, the employee must provide reasonable advance notice. If not, notice must be provided "as soon as practicable."

Unless certification is required pursuant to another leave law, no provision in the PSL law specifically allows an employer to require medical certification for paid sick time.

8. You Can Choose Between Various Options For Paying Employees For The Time Off

PSL must be paid no later than the payday for the next regular payroll period after the sick leave was taken.

Employers can use one of the following three methods to calculate how to pay employees who take paid sick time:

Calculate paid sick time for a nonexempt employee in the same manner as the "regular rate of pay" for the workweek in which the employee uses paid sick time, regardless of whether the employee actually works overtime in that workweek.
Calculate paid sick time for a nonexempt employee by "dividing the employee's total wages, not including overtime premium pay, by the employee's total hours worked in the full pay periods of the prior 90 days of employment."
Calculate paid sick time for an exempt employee in the same manner as wages are calculated for other forms of paid leave time.

9. You Have Recordkeeping Obligations

The PSL law requires you to keep records documenting the hours the employee worked, the paid sick days accrued by the employee and the paid sick days used by the employee for at least three years.

Amendments to the mandatory paid sick leave law specifically state that, for record-keeping purposes, an employer is not obligated to inquire into or record the purposes for which an employee uses paid time off.

10. Watch Out For Local Ordinances

Several cities, including San Diego, San Francisco, Emeryville, Oakland, and Los Angeles enacted local ordinances providing for paid sick leave. Employers with businesses in a city with a local PSL ordinance need to comply with both the state and the local law. For each provision, protection or benefit, employers will need to provide employees whichever is more generous to the employee.

- July 1, 2016 CalChamber Capitol News Report, Erika Frank, Paid Sick Leave, PSL, Top Stories, Videos

The Month In Pictures

June

Pizza Hut Grand Opening

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony