Oakland CA, April 7, 2020 – On April 14, 2020, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California’s (WCIRB’s) Classification and Rating Committee will consider three rule changes that WCIRB staff are recommending in response to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on California employers and workers. The Committee will consider changes that, if approved by the Insurance Commissioner, would:
Exclude Payments to Employees Who Continue to Be Paid While Not Working
The Committee will review a proposal to exclude from reported payroll the payments made to employees who are continuing to be paid while not engaged in any work activities. This exclusion would apply while California’s stay-at-home order is in place and for up to 30 days thereafter if the employee continues not to work. Excluding this payroll recognizes the extraordinary circumstances resulting from the stay-at-home order and the fact that employees not engaged in work activities have virtually no work-related exposure.