Thursday, February 28, 2013
SB626/ OSHA Posting
The Board of Small Business California has voted to oppose SB 626. This is the bill that would undue many of the workers compensation reforms the business community has worked so hard on obtaining.. This bill would have a strong impact on small business increasing their worker compensation premiums in the coming years. Thank you to all that gave me your thoughts on this bill. I received about 70 responses to the email and all but one were opposed.
If you would like a copy of Small Business opposition letter please let me know. I hope all of you will write a letter of opposition.
Please see below information from our friends and member the California Employers Association about posting your injury and illness Form 300. The form must be posted from February 1 thru April 30. Note there are exceptions for employers with 10 or less employees and certain industries which are outlined in the link below.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Have You Posted Your Injury and Illness
Form 300A?
Read Time: Less than 3 minutes
CEA and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are reminding employers to post OSHA Form 300A, which lists a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during 2012. The form must be posted from Feb. 1 through April 30, 2013.
The summary must include the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2012 and were logged on OSHA Form 300, Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. To assist in calculating incidence rates, information about the annual average number of employees and total hours worked during the calendar year is also required. If a company recorded no injuries or illnesses in 2012, the employer must enter "zero" on the total line. The form must be signed and certified by a company executive. Form 300A should be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted.
Employers with 10 or fewer employees and employers in certain industries are normally exempt from federal OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and posting requirements. A complete list of exempt industries in the retail, services, finance, insurance and real estate sectors can be found at http://s.dol.gov/YP.
All employers covered by OSHA need to comply with safety and health standards. All accidents that result in one or more fatalities or in the hospitalization of three or more employees must be reported verbally within eight hours to the nearest OSHA office.
Copies of OSHA Forms 300 and 300A are available at http://s.dol.gov/YP. For more information on recordkeeping requirements, visit the OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Web page.
Source: www.osha.gov.
OSHA Form 300A
Post from February 1 through April 30, 2013.
Copies of OSHA Forms 300 and 300A are available at
http://s.dol.gov/YQ
For more information on recordkeeping requirements, visit the OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Web page.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
SB 626 (Beall) - Workers' Comp
Small Business California is very cautious about opposing bills in the legislature and we have not taken a position on SB626. But to say we have some serious concerns here is a bit of an understatement a s it would repeal many of the reforms of 2004. See our Governmental Affairs
Person[ Lori Kammerer] comments on the bill. It is supported by the Injured Workers and United Farm Workers
Senator Beall introduced SB 626 last Friday. Below is a brief breakdown of the bill.
1. Permits Chiropractors to serve as Primary Treating Physicians beyond the 24 visit cap
2. Allows the WCAB to over-rule IMR determinations
3. Requires UR and IMR physicians reviewing treatment requests to hold the same type of license as the requesting physician (ie only chiropractors may review chiropractors)
4. Permits an increase in permanent disability ratings for psychological injuries that arise out of a physical injury
5. Eliminates the confidentiality of IMR reviewers
What do you think?
---
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Person[ Lori Kammerer] comments on the bill. It is supported by the Injured Workers and United Farm Workers
Senator Beall introduced SB 626 last Friday. Below is a brief breakdown of the bill.
1. Permits Chiropractors to serve as Primary Treating Physicians beyond the 24 visit cap
2. Allows the WCAB to over-rule IMR determinations
3. Requires UR and IMR physicians reviewing treatment requests to hold the same type of license as the requesting physician (ie only chiropractors may review chiropractors)
4. Permits an increase in permanent disability ratings for psychological injuries that arise out of a physical injury
5. Eliminates the confidentiality of IMR reviewers
What do you think?
---
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Unemployment Payments/ Choosing Wisely
Last week I sent an email asking you if you would support a bill allowing people to receive unemployment benefits when starting a new business. Currently to receive these benefits you must be seeking employment. The vast majority of you opposed this. The California Chamber and EDD also oppose this.
Small Business California tries very hard to work with other associations and some of our legislative efforts have been supported by CAMEO. In fairness to them I asked to state why they think this is a good piece of legislation and I asked them to make their case to you. Please see their comments.
Please let me know your thoughts
Here's our shot at why business should support...
In addition to creating 5,000 businesses, 12,000 jobs and at least $400million in revenues, getting people off unemployment, decreasing unemployment recidivism rates... The unemployed who want to start their own business have to either do it at night (outside of the time they are supposed to be looking for work under the current unemployment system) or work on their business in the shadows. Having to look for a job during the day that may or may not exist, when what the person really wants to do is start a business is inefficient. We need to change the 'system' to encourage businesses to formalize and immediately become part of the market economy, so they don't become accustomed to operating underground. --
In a previous email I sent I advised you that I am on the Board of the Pacific Group on Health. This is an association of very large employers who have over 3 million people covered for health insurance. Many of these are self insured. They are working hard to reduce the cost of the health system. To that extent they are partnering with the National Business Coalition on Health and Consumer Reports to let their employees know how to Choose Wisely when making health care decisions. Please see link below the tool kit they have put together for employers to provide their employee to use to educate their employees about the dangers and issues associated with the overuse of health care services. Take a look and I would appreciate your comments. Will you provide this to your employees?
http://www.nbch.org/choosing-wisely-employer-toolkit
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Small Business California tries very hard to work with other associations and some of our legislative efforts have been supported by CAMEO. In fairness to them I asked to state why they think this is a good piece of legislation and I asked them to make their case to you. Please see their comments.
Please let me know your thoughts
Here's our shot at why business should support...
In addition to creating 5,000 businesses, 12,000 jobs and at least $400million in revenues, getting people off unemployment, decreasing unemployment recidivism rates... The unemployed who want to start their own business have to either do it at night (outside of the time they are supposed to be looking for work under the current unemployment system) or work on their business in the shadows. Having to look for a job during the day that may or may not exist, when what the person really wants to do is start a business is inefficient. We need to change the 'system' to encourage businesses to formalize and immediately become part of the market economy, so they don't become accustomed to operating underground. --
In a previous email I sent I advised you that I am on the Board of the Pacific Group on Health. This is an association of very large employers who have over 3 million people covered for health insurance. Many of these are self insured. They are working hard to reduce the cost of the health system. To that extent they are partnering with the National Business Coalition on Health and Consumer Reports to let their employees know how to Choose Wisely when making health care decisions. Please see link below the tool kit they have put together for employers to provide their employee to use to educate their employees about the dangers and issues associated with the overuse of health care services. Take a look and I would appreciate your comments. Will you provide this to your employees?
http://www.nbch.org/choosing-wisely-employer-toolkit
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Monday, February 25, 2013
Small Business California Legislation
Friday was the last day to find authors for legislation introduced this legislative session.
Small Business California will be sponsoring or cosponsoring six bills.
They are
1 Two bills for clean up language to last year’s workers compensation reform bill.
2.Reintroduction of our bill to give protections to accredited investors in crowd funding
3. $200 million of tax credits matched by private funding for small business loans.
4.Reintroduction of Buy California to support California Manufacturers
5. Codification of the Small Business Development Centers. This bill would require the SBDCs to report to the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development and is the first step in obtaining state funding for the SBDCs. The California Hispanic Chamber will be a cosponsor .
I welcome comment on these bills.
I hope you agree that Small Business California is representing your interest and if not already a member will consider joining. You can do so by visiting our website or we can invoice you. www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Small Business California will be sponsoring or cosponsoring six bills.
They are
1 Two bills for clean up language to last year’s workers compensation reform bill.
2.Reintroduction of our bill to give protections to accredited investors in crowd funding
3. $200 million of tax credits matched by private funding for small business loans.
4.Reintroduction of Buy California to support California Manufacturers
5. Codification of the Small Business Development Centers. This bill would require the SBDCs to report to the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development and is the first step in obtaining state funding for the SBDCs. The California Hispanic Chamber will be a cosponsor .
I welcome comment on these bills.
I hope you agree that Small Business California is representing your interest and if not already a member will consider joining. You can do so by visiting our website or we can invoice you. www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Friday, February 22, 2013
Unemployment / Survey
A bill has been introduced by CAMEO, an organization of micro businesses, to allow owners of start up businesses to collect unemployment. Currently it is required that people search for a job to collect unemployment. This would eliminate this requirement. EDD and the California Chamber most likely will oppose this.
The arguments for this is that start ups have a very difficult time obtaining capital. It is also argued that some of these businesses will create additional jobs helping the economy. This beyond the individuals starting the business.
If this is passed the Federal Government will provide $5.3 million. The cost for California is not clearly known but it has been estimated to be l $1.5 million or less.
The arguments against this is that unemployment should not be used to start a business and individuals should be looking for work in existing businesses. It is also argued that the program has no real oversight however the sponsor disputes this.
Small Business California has been asked by CAMEO to take a support position. What do you think?
Our survey is heading into the last week. Thank you to all have completed it. So far we have about 1120 respondents. If you have not completed please do so. The link is below. Please forward to others.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
The arguments for this is that start ups have a very difficult time obtaining capital. It is also argued that some of these businesses will create additional jobs helping the economy. This beyond the individuals starting the business.
If this is passed the Federal Government will provide $5.3 million. The cost for California is not clearly known but it has been estimated to be l $1.5 million or less.
The arguments against this is that unemployment should not be used to start a business and individuals should be looking for work in existing businesses. It is also argued that the program has no real oversight however the sponsor disputes this.
Small Business California has been asked by CAMEO to take a support position. What do you think?
Our survey is heading into the last week. Thank you to all have completed it. So far we have about 1120 respondents. If you have not completed please do so. The link is below. Please forward to others.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Friday, February 15, 2013
New Posting requirement for businesses subject to FMLA/ Do you own your building
On March 8 there is a new requirement for employers subject to Family Medical Leave to post information about the expansion of the FMLA. See below for more information. I have confirmed that there are penalties for failure to do so but have not been able to find out what they are.Are your walls getting pretty full with all the postings required of Federal, State and Local governments?
As you know Small Business California has been very involved in trying to help small businesses reduce their energy use. That is why we created On Bill Financing in California.
One thing that has come up is that some energy efficiency programs are only available to building owners. Does anyone out there know where information may be that would indicate how many small business owners own their own buildings? If you are a small business owner do you own your building?
This information is very important to us as we try to represent you
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
NEW FMLA Mandatory Poster Change!
Read Time: Less than 2 minutes
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a final rule implementing two important expansions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The updates:
• Provide service members' families with FMLA leave for events related to service members' deployments.
• Expand coverage given to current military family members to eligible families of veterans.
• A new provision makes it easier for flight crew employees to be eligible for FMLA and use FMLA benefits.
Specifics
The new FMLA rule implemented Congressional amendments to the FMLA permitting eligible workers to take up to 26 workweeks of leave to care for a current service member with a serious injury or illness. Congress also created qualifying exigency leave, which permits eligible employees to take up to 12 workweeks of leave for qualifying exigencies arising out of active duty or call to active duty in support of a contingency operation of a family member serving in the National Guard or Reserve. The final rule also implements amendments clarifying the application of the FMLA to airline personnel and flight crews. Until the amendments, many flight crews did not meet FMLA eligibility criteria due to the unique way in which their hours are counted.
The DOL also released a new FMLA poster. The new FMLA poster must be posted by employers covered by the FMLA no later than March 8, 2013. Download the free poster here.
For more information, including the new rule, a military leave guide, fact sheets and other materials, visit the DOL website.
NEW FMLA Mandatory Poster Change!
As you know Small Business California has been very involved in trying to help small businesses reduce their energy use. That is why we created On Bill Financing in California.
One thing that has come up is that some energy efficiency programs are only available to building owners. Does anyone out there know where information may be that would indicate how many small business owners own their own buildings? If you are a small business owner do you own your building?
This information is very important to us as we try to represent you
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
NEW FMLA Mandatory Poster Change!
Read Time: Less than 2 minutes
The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a final rule implementing two important expansions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The updates:
• Provide service members' families with FMLA leave for events related to service members' deployments.
• Expand coverage given to current military family members to eligible families of veterans.
• A new provision makes it easier for flight crew employees to be eligible for FMLA and use FMLA benefits.
Specifics
The new FMLA rule implemented Congressional amendments to the FMLA permitting eligible workers to take up to 26 workweeks of leave to care for a current service member with a serious injury or illness. Congress also created qualifying exigency leave, which permits eligible employees to take up to 12 workweeks of leave for qualifying exigencies arising out of active duty or call to active duty in support of a contingency operation of a family member serving in the National Guard or Reserve. The final rule also implements amendments clarifying the application of the FMLA to airline personnel and flight crews. Until the amendments, many flight crews did not meet FMLA eligibility criteria due to the unique way in which their hours are counted.
The DOL also released a new FMLA poster. The new FMLA poster must be posted by employers covered by the FMLA no later than March 8, 2013. Download the free poster here.
For more information, including the new rule, a military leave guide, fact sheets and other materials, visit the DOL website.
NEW FMLA Mandatory Poster Change!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Survey/Self Insurance
We are on the 12th day of our survey and are approaching 1000 responses. We have responses from every county in California and getting some interesting results. The most surprising is that 74% of the respondents still have never heard of the small business tax credit available under the Affordable Care Act. This after almost three years since the passage of the ACA.
If you haven’t done so already please complete the survey. Please send link to others.
See link below.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
Last year Senator De Leon introduced a bill to increase the attachment point[stop loss] to $95000 for businesses that want to self insure their health insurance for employees. Currently there are businesses which have as low as $5000 as their attachment point[stop loss]. In effect this means that businesses self insure up to $5000 and after that an insurance company pays the claims
Please see email from reporter asking for a contact of a small business that has taken up this self insured option. Please let me know if you have a self insured plan and would be willing to talk to Jay. I would also be interested to know whether you would support an increase in the attachment point.
The argument for doing this is that the self insured plans operate under a different set of rules and therefore there is adverse selection increasing the cost of insured plans. There are those that would argue that a $5000 attachment point is really not self insurance.
The argument for this is outlined in Jays request.
Hello:
I’m a reporter with Kaiser Health News (no relation to Kaiser Permanente!) interested in speaking with employers with fewer than 100 workers (ideally fewer than 50) who self-insure for health coverage. As you may know, the California legislature is considering limiting or eliminating the ability of small firms to self-insure for health care. I’m writing an article about this for USA Today and I’m hoping to talk directly with business owners who would be affected. Many small businesses find that self-funding allows more flexibility than with fully insured plans, and self-insurance will also let employers avoid many of the higher costs that will come in 2014 when the Affordable Care Act kicks in. I’m hoping to interview you about your self-insured plan. Why is it the right choice for your business? If the legislature eliminates your ability to self-insure, what are your alternatives? What are your views, if any, on Sen. De Leon’s bill to raise stop-loss points and eliminate the ability of very small employers to self-insure?
Please email me or call the number below. Thank you for your consideration.
JAY HANCOCK
Senior Correspondent
Kaiser Health News
1330 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
JayH@kff.org
202.654.1328
www.twitter.com/jayhancock1
Who are we? A journalist-run news service covering health care policy and politics. We are part of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Our stories appear in newspapers and media outlets nationwide, including USA Today, The Washington Post, NPR and MSNBC.com as well as on our website: www.kaiserhealthnews.org
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
If you haven’t done so already please complete the survey. Please send link to others.
See link below.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
Last year Senator De Leon introduced a bill to increase the attachment point[stop loss] to $95000 for businesses that want to self insure their health insurance for employees. Currently there are businesses which have as low as $5000 as their attachment point[stop loss]. In effect this means that businesses self insure up to $5000 and after that an insurance company pays the claims
Please see email from reporter asking for a contact of a small business that has taken up this self insured option. Please let me know if you have a self insured plan and would be willing to talk to Jay. I would also be interested to know whether you would support an increase in the attachment point.
The argument for doing this is that the self insured plans operate under a different set of rules and therefore there is adverse selection increasing the cost of insured plans. There are those that would argue that a $5000 attachment point is really not self insurance.
The argument for this is outlined in Jays request.
Hello:
I’m a reporter with Kaiser Health News (no relation to Kaiser Permanente!) interested in speaking with employers with fewer than 100 workers (ideally fewer than 50) who self-insure for health coverage. As you may know, the California legislature is considering limiting or eliminating the ability of small firms to self-insure for health care. I’m writing an article about this for USA Today and I’m hoping to talk directly with business owners who would be affected. Many small businesses find that self-funding allows more flexibility than with fully insured plans, and self-insurance will also let employers avoid many of the higher costs that will come in 2014 when the Affordable Care Act kicks in. I’m hoping to interview you about your self-insured plan. Why is it the right choice for your business? If the legislature eliminates your ability to self-insure, what are your alternatives? What are your views, if any, on Sen. De Leon’s bill to raise stop-loss points and eliminate the ability of very small employers to self-insure?
Please email me or call the number below. Thank you for your consideration.
JAY HANCOCK
Senior Correspondent
Kaiser Health News
1330 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
JayH@kff.org
202.654.1328
www.twitter.com/jayhancock1
Who are we? A journalist-run news service covering health care policy and politics. We are part of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Our stories appear in newspapers and media outlets nationwide, including USA Today, The Washington Post, NPR and MSNBC.com as well as on our website: www.kaiserhealthnews.org
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
1 in 20 Credit Reports Have Errors according to FTC
! in 20 American consumers had mistakes on their credit report that would have affected their interest rates on loans or caused them to pay more for insurance according to a survey released Monday by the Federal Trade Commission.
The leading consumer credit reporting agencies are Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. The FTC recommends everyone check three reports annually.
Some 26% percent of consumers found a mistake in one of three credit reports credit reports.
The survey was done by 1001 people and 2968 credit reports were requested.
I know a while back I checked into my D&B report and found someone had filed a late pay for me without my knowledge and never took it off. It got corrected.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
The leading consumer credit reporting agencies are Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. The FTC recommends everyone check three reports annually.
Some 26% percent of consumers found a mistake in one of three credit reports credit reports.
The survey was done by 1001 people and 2968 credit reports were requested.
I know a while back I checked into my D&B report and found someone had filed a late pay for me without my knowledge and never took it off. It got corrected.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Small Business California Permit Survey
On Friday about 20 small business leaders in SF met with Mayor Lee. As you know one big issue we are supporting is development of a One Stop Business Portal. Please take a few moments and complete the survey which will help the Office of Small Business do this. The due date is March 8th.
Scott
Dear Scott,
Thank you for your participation and support for the Office of Small Business’s Business Permit Survey. Please find the link below to start the survey. Also below is our draft email to your clients (if you choose to use it) as well as their link to the Business Owner Survey with three separate translations (English, Spanish, Traditional Han Chinese, and Vietnamese). The due date can be found in the survey.
Business Organization Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEU2U1lJRnhmUDBGWU1CNHlYWlFoM3c6MA#gid=0
If there are any questions regarding the particulars of a procedure or any need of clarification of a question within the survey, please contact Regina Dick-Endrizzi at 415-554-6481 or Regina.Dick-Endrizzi@sfgov.org. For all questions relating to the survey format, technical difficulties, or entry troubles please contact Erick Orantes at 415-554-4720 or Erick.Orantes@sfgov.org. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Small Business California has been approached by the Office of Small Business to help them on improving the interaction with the business community of San Francisco and City Hall. These surveys found in the link below will ask you a series of questions about your experience with City departments in regard to permit, license, registration, certificate, regulatory item, and/or program processes.
These surveys will help with their streamlining process in putting all permits, licenses, registrations, certificates, regulations, and business programs related to business online one stop portal. To highlight the issues and obstacles businesses have for applying to these types of permits or ongoing engagement with the city, honesty is important. Your contact information will not be made public in our report. Below are the links to the surveys:
English Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEtEaUxtMXRpTGFPT3lBTHF6QWM4REE6MQ#gid=0
Spanish Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHBoVlV0WFQtNkFqSFNUWXQ1SW1TS2c6MA#gid=0
Chinese Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFdtVndycVBfV2hIXzl5Vk1JSzdfUVE6MA#gid=0
Vietnamese Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDBtRzM2VHFWLURIZnluMUZOM3MxZGc6MA#gid=0
The City of San Francisco would like to thank you for your participation in helping improve the efficiency of managing its constituents.
Erick Orantes
Office of Economic and Workforce Development
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA 94102
Room 448
P: 415-554-4720
F: 415-558-7844
Erick.Orantes@sfgov.org
Scott
Dear Scott,
Thank you for your participation and support for the Office of Small Business’s Business Permit Survey. Please find the link below to start the survey. Also below is our draft email to your clients (if you choose to use it) as well as their link to the Business Owner Survey with three separate translations (English, Spanish, Traditional Han Chinese, and Vietnamese). The due date can be found in the survey.
Business Organization Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEU2U1lJRnhmUDBGWU1CNHlYWlFoM3c6MA#gid=0
If there are any questions regarding the particulars of a procedure or any need of clarification of a question within the survey, please contact Regina Dick-Endrizzi at 415-554-6481 or Regina.Dick-Endrizzi@sfgov.org. For all questions relating to the survey format, technical difficulties, or entry troubles please contact Erick Orantes at 415-554-4720 or Erick.Orantes@sfgov.org. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Small Business California has been approached by the Office of Small Business to help them on improving the interaction with the business community of San Francisco and City Hall. These surveys found in the link below will ask you a series of questions about your experience with City departments in regard to permit, license, registration, certificate, regulatory item, and/or program processes.
These surveys will help with their streamlining process in putting all permits, licenses, registrations, certificates, regulations, and business programs related to business online one stop portal. To highlight the issues and obstacles businesses have for applying to these types of permits or ongoing engagement with the city, honesty is important. Your contact information will not be made public in our report. Below are the links to the surveys:
English Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEtEaUxtMXRpTGFPT3lBTHF6QWM4REE6MQ#gid=0
Spanish Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHBoVlV0WFQtNkFqSFNUWXQ1SW1TS2c6MA#gid=0
Chinese Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFdtVndycVBfV2hIXzl5Vk1JSzdfUVE6MA#gid=0
Vietnamese Version of Survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDBtRzM2VHFWLURIZnluMUZOM3MxZGc6MA#gid=0
The City of San Francisco would like to thank you for your participation in helping improve the efficiency of managing its constituents.
Erick Orantes
Office of Economic and Workforce Development
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA 94102
Room 448
P: 415-554-4720
F: 415-558-7844
Erick.Orantes@sfgov.org
Monday, February 11, 2013
Prescription Drugs/ Survey
Did you know that 19% of the cost of workers compensation claims were prescription drugs.. A group of employers are preparing recommendations to address ways to curb or eliminate prescription drugs in our workers compensation system. The recommendations will be provided to the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations[ Christine Baker]. Small Business California is part of these discussions.
Have you had any problems with prescription drugs on your workers compensation claims and if so what are the issues?
What do you feel could be done to improve the prescription of drugs in the workers compensation system?
Our survey has been up for a little over a week.
As of this morning we have 666 responses. If you haven’t done so already please complete this important survey. One of the questions we asked was Do you see yourself in business in three years. So far 23% of you said no. I find this number scary. I am sure some of you will be retiring but I think that is a pretty high number. What do you think?
See survey link below. Please forward to others.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Have you had any problems with prescription drugs on your workers compensation claims and if so what are the issues?
What do you feel could be done to improve the prescription of drugs in the workers compensation system?
Our survey has been up for a little over a week.
As of this morning we have 666 responses. If you haven’t done so already please complete this important survey. One of the questions we asked was Do you see yourself in business in three years. So far 23% of you said no. I find this number scary. I am sure some of you will be retiring but I think that is a pretty high number. What do you think?
See survey link below. Please forward to others.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Friday, February 08, 2013
California Employers Association/ Medical Notification
The California Employers Association is a great resource for small businesses in California. Please see below link information on National,State and San Francisco requirements of employers and other information important to small business. You also might want to visit their website at www.employers.org
I strongly suggest you consider joining this wonderful resource as they can help you with all your human resource issues
Go to www.employers.org/resources/resources-government-resources
A few weeks ago I said that employers were required to notify their employees about Medical. I just found out when California switched from Healthy Families to Medical July 2012 the requirement was lifted. I would guess that most of you probably had not notified your employees about this prior to July 2012 .
What I found out is that employers who did not notify their employees prior to July 2012 were subject to fines of $100 a day per employee. Pretty significant penalty and I would guess that less than 5% of the employers in California knew this.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
I strongly suggest you consider joining this wonderful resource as they can help you with all your human resource issues
Go to www.employers.org/resources/resources-government-resources
A few weeks ago I said that employers were required to notify their employees about Medical. I just found out when California switched from Healthy Families to Medical July 2012 the requirement was lifted. I would guess that most of you probably had not notified your employees about this prior to July 2012 .
What I found out is that employers who did not notify their employees prior to July 2012 were subject to fines of $100 a day per employee. Pretty significant penalty and I would guess that less than 5% of the employers in California knew this.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
GoBiz/ Survey/ Affordable Care Act
Yesterday Lori Kammerer and I met with people in the Speakers Office. They asked me to survey our members and find out how many of you were aware of the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development [Go-Biz]. Are you aware of this agency and do you know what they do for small business?
We are getting a good response to our survey and so far have over 250 responses. If you have not done so already please take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Yesterday I testified at the Jobs and Economic Development committee[JEDE] giving the highlights of responses so far. In Talking to Toni Symonds the Chief Consultant for JEDE she said she uses our study frequently in her work on the Committee. It does get read in Sacramento.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
For those of you in the Bay Area on March 14th from 11-2 there will be a brown bag meeting about the Affordable Care Act and what small businesses should know about it. It will be at the Hyatt House 5800 Shellmound Street Emeryville. We are fortunate to have Michael Lujan the head of the Small Business Exchange program [SHOP].
The event will be sponsored by Small Business California. East Bay EDA, California Small Business Development Centers and Bay Area Development Company. Barbara Vohryzek the Small Business Advocate has put this together. For more information and to register go to
http://www.baydevco.com/brownbag
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
We are getting a good response to our survey and so far have over 250 responses. If you have not done so already please take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Yesterday I testified at the Jobs and Economic Development committee[JEDE] giving the highlights of responses so far. In Talking to Toni Symonds the Chief Consultant for JEDE she said she uses our study frequently in her work on the Committee. It does get read in Sacramento.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
For those of you in the Bay Area on March 14th from 11-2 there will be a brown bag meeting about the Affordable Care Act and what small businesses should know about it. It will be at the Hyatt House 5800 Shellmound Street Emeryville. We are fortunate to have Michael Lujan the head of the Small Business Exchange program [SHOP].
The event will be sponsored by Small Business California. East Bay EDA, California Small Business Development Centers and Bay Area Development Company. Barbara Vohryzek the Small Business Advocate has put this together. For more information and to register go to
http://www.baydevco.com/brownbag
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Monday, February 04, 2013
Survey/ Lunch Break
I am sending the survey out again as I want to have as many responses as possible by Tuesday for the Jobs and Economic Development Committee meeting .Thank you to those that have completed and for others please try to complete by Monday afternoon so I can bring the preliminary results to the meeting. It should take less than 15 minutes
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
All of you are familiar with the 8 hour overtime rule in California and the 5 hour lunch break. On Thursday I had a lunch for all the people in my company.
We closed the office at 2 so people could go to the lunch and go home afterwards. Because of the 5 hour lunch rule we had to notify our employees that they needed to take a 30 minute lunch break before going to the lunch. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me but this is California.
Scott Hauge
President
CAL Insurance and Associates, Inc.
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
www.cal-insure.com
Phone: (415) 680-2109
Fax: (415) 680-2137
License #0A32315
"Always looking out for you"
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/92WN2HY
All of you are familiar with the 8 hour overtime rule in California and the 5 hour lunch break. On Thursday I had a lunch for all the people in my company.
We closed the office at 2 so people could go to the lunch and go home afterwards. Because of the 5 hour lunch rule we had to notify our employees that they needed to take a 30 minute lunch break before going to the lunch. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me but this is California.
Scott Hauge
President
CAL Insurance and Associates, Inc.
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
www.cal-insure.com
Phone: (415) 680-2109
Fax: (415) 680-2137
License #0A32315
"Always looking out for you"
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