2020 is a testament to the changing regulatory landscape for startups and businesses globally, but in California, we have some of the nation’s most complex policies and regulations. With the challenges already faced by startups, such as funding, limited resources, and perfecting a pitch, the uncertainty of COVID-19 added to the endless list.

Keeping up with regulatory requirements is not an easy task, so our friends at Champion Benefits offered their specialized perspective on addressing complex human resources issues. They provide support navigating the ever-changing landscape of CA regulations, hiring and retaining top talent, and general HR assistance to foster a successful startup business.

Champion Benefits understands the many unique challenges a startup may face, and they assist with HR and Benefits so startups can focus on the most critical aspects of their business. When we asked them for important issues that our startups could be facing, they highlighted two critical new employment laws that became effective on January 1, 2021, in the state of California:

1. The CA Family Rights Act (CFRA). This act is now expanded to include employers from 50 to five or more employees, 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a family member, and 12 weeks of job-protected leave for new child bonding and medical issues.
2. The new CA COVID-19 Infection Prevention Requirements (AB 685). These require all employers to provide written notification to all employees and local public health agencies of potential exposures. This bill also allows Cal/OSHA to issue an Order Prohibiting Use to shut down an entire worksite or specific worksite area that exposes employees to an imminent hazard related to COVID-19.

These additional regulations, and the fact that at least some of us were completely unaware of them, are a good reminder of why companies have entire human resources divisions! That’s why we were excited to make a connection with Champion Benefits. We also learned that some of our startups had already begun benefitting from their expertise:

“Champion Benefits was an essential partner as we were growing Aurrion from 5 to 60 people. Ruth and her team helped us pick benefit plans to offer our employees consistent with our company culture and our budgetary requirements. When we were working with them, the landscape and cost of health benefits were rapidly changing. Having Champion Benefits in our corner to help us make sense of these changes allowed us to focus on running and building the business. It gave us peace of mind that we were properly in tune with the changing landscape. Once plans were selected, Champion Benefits worked with us to properly message and communicate what our yearly plans looked like to our teams and helped individuals navigate any personal questions they had. The employees really appreciated the time and care Champion Benefits spent with them.” – Alexander Fang, Former CEO Aurrion

“Champion Benefits has been a helpful partner navigating our healthcare benefit selections, especially as the various plan offerings and associated costs have changed.” – Matt Harris, CFO Active Life Scientific

“As a fast-growing deep tech company, we are grateful to have Champion Benefits handle onboarding, HR, and benefits administration, allowing us to focus on our core business. Champion Benefit provides excellent insight in providing the right kind of benefits and supports us at every step of the way as we grow.” – Tin Komljenovic, CEO Nexus Photonics

“Champion Benefits has been such a great help to get benefits in place for our growing company. They are very easy to work with, quick to reply, and experts in all areas of health insurance and human resources. Having them as a ready resource for the company has streamlined the administrative processes of growing a company.” – Matt Jacob-Mitos, Founder Ultra Low-Loss Technologies

A good source of human resources expertise is a critical feature of a successful enterprise, but it can feel like a nice-to-have rather than a need-to-have for startups. Champion Benefits changes that expectation by putting an experienced HR team within reach — without creating a new division for your startup. Keep HR in mind as you build your company; there are a lot of advantages to staying ahead of issues like these new COVID-19 rules instead of playing catch-up.

Champion Benefits is offering free virtual consultations for those interested in learning more about their services.