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Tuesday, December 21, 2021 | View as Webpage
NEW COVID-19 RULES FOR EMPLOYERS, HOLIDAY UPDATES, GOV. NEWSOM'S EXECUTIVE ORDER, 2021 OCBC LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
NEW COVID-19 RULES FOR EMPLOYERS:
  • On Dec. 17, the federal court issued a new set of deadlines for employers with 100 or more workers to come into compliance. Key deadlines are January 10, 2022 and February 9, 2022 for employers to have specific vaccine policies, procedures and reporting requirements in place. These federal requirements may still get a hearing in the U.S. Supreme Court, but employers should start preparing now as OSHA has made it clear that even if an employer is not in full compliance, the agency will not issue a penalty if the employer shows "good faith efforts to come into compliance with the standard."

Employer Resources
OCBC'S HOLIDAY UPDATE:
  • OCBC's Special E-Indicator newsletter is taking a two-week hiatus and will return in January. With season's greetings to you and yours, OCBC wishes everyone a happy, healthy, masked-up holiday season with safe celebrations. Please scroll down for a list of COVID-19 resources. 
GOV. NEWSOM SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
  • As part of the state’s ongoing response to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Governor signed an executive order that temporarily allows corporate shareholder meetings to be held virtually during emergencies, as outlined in legislation signed earlier this year. The order also authorizes an extension of the COVID safety requirements to protect workers in the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). On Dec. 16 the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board also readopted the ETS, which will be effective from January 14, 2022 through April 14, 2022. The Governor’s executive order enables a subsequent third readoption of the ETS. Learn more. 
OCBC ANNOUNCES 2021 LEGISLATORS OF THE YEAR:
  • The 2021 OCBC Legislative Scorecard measures and compares how well OC’s State elected leaders aligned with OCBC’s policy priorities, including its four core initiatives of economic development, infrastructure, workforce development, and workforce housing. OCBC’s Legislative Scorecard is an important tool to hold elected officials accountable for their success in representing the drivers of OC’s robust global economy—its business sector. OCBC works with State Legislators to engage on business issues throughout the year and appreciates its leaders who showed up for business, not just with their voice but with their votes. Congratulations to Senator Tom Umberg and Assemblymember Steven Choi on outstanding scores! In case you missed it, The Orange County Register reported on OC state senators' 2021 accomplishments yesterday.
REGISTER FOR 2022 OCBC ANNUAL DINNER:
  • Registration is now open for the 2022 OCBC Annual Dinner on Feb. 10, presented by The Orange County Register! Join us at Disneyland Resort to welcome OCBC's new President and CEO, Jeff Ball, recognize the leadership of 2021 Board Chair, Jena Jensen, install 2022 Board Chair, Dave Bartlett, and wish Lucy Dunn well in her retirement! You won’t want to miss it! Register today!
TAKE CARE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
COVID-19 RESOURCES:
  • Find a vaccine - Vaccination is one of the most important tools to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit any local pharmacy or healthcare provider, or go online to Vaccines.gov, MyTurn.ca.gov or Othena.com, to schedule a vaccination appointment.
  • OC COVID-19 Hotline - The OC COVID-19 Hotline is available to answer questions about vaccine-related issues, including booking appointments, or assistance with transportation. Live operators are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (714) 834-2000.
  • COVID-19 Testing - With more social gatherings occurring, COVID-19 testing can help prevent the risk of spread. Plan to get a viral COVID-19 test at least 1-3 days before and 3-5 days after trips, or following exposure or showing symptoms. Visit here to order an at-home, self-collection testing kit.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
METROPOLITAN TAKES ACTION TO ALLEVIATE DROUGHT:
  • As drought continues to stress the state’s water supply, Metropolitan Water District took new actions to ensure Southern Californians have the water they need; including new infrastructure investments and water exchanges that will allow Colorado River water and stored supplies to be more readily distributed throughout the region. The strategies will preserve limited State Water Project supplies for areas, including parts of Ventura, LA and San Bernardino counties, that depend heavily on water from that system. Read more.
COX WORKS TO HELP CLOSE DIGITAL DIVIDE:
  • Cox’s ConnectAssist program is a low-cost broadband option available to qualifying low-income households without school age children in the home and who don’t qualify for Cox’s Connect2Compete, a program designed for families with children in grades K-12. ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete are among Cox’s many efforts to increase internet accessibility and enhance digital equity in local communities. Learn more.
OCBC'S UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS
2022 OCBC Annual Dinner and Installation of Board of Directors
February 10, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Register here!
A special thank you title sponsor, The Orange County Register. Thank you VIP reception sponsor, UCI; gold sponsors, Brookfield Properties, Disneyland Resort, Experian and FivePoint Holdings, LLC; silver sponsors, AAA, The Boeing Company, BIA-SC, City of Hope Orange County, HNTB, SDG&E, SoCalGas and U.S. Bank; and bronze sponsors, Anaheim Public Utilities, Cal State Fullerton, Girl Scouts of Orange County, MemorialCare, Orange County Department of Education, South Orange County Community College District and Transportation Corridor Agencies.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
January 12 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
OCBC will be hosting the Orange County Workforce Development Board to discuss the no cost services they can provide to the business community, including recruitment services, workplace compliance and workforce training funds. The Workforce Board has the authority to reimburse up to 75% of an employee’s wages while they are receiving On-the-Job Training. These services are available to for-profit businesses, private non-profit organizations, and public sector employers.
OCBC members, to attend in person, please notify, Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP Workforce and Economic Development OR register here to attend via Zoom.

February 4 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
OCBC will host State Senator Pat Bates for a discussion with members. OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to attend in person or register for via Zoom.
NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.