Vigilant Blog
News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp
Jul
01
2020
ALERT: Understand face covering requirements in your area
Understand face covering requirements in your area Vigilant members have been asking how recent face covering mandates to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) apply to their businesses, so below is a summary of the general requirements in our member states. California, Oregon, and Washington have statewide face covering mandates.…
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Jun
18
2020
EEOC updates COVID-19 guidance
EEOC updates COVID-19 guidance The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its technical assistance guidance regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).These new FAQs clarify and update the agency’s guidance on several COVID-19-related issues. No protection for shielding high-risk family members: The guidance clarifies that there’s no protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for an…
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Jun
18
2020
Podcast available on preventing heat illness
Vigilant’s safety team has released an 18-minute podcast on Heat-Related Illness/Heat Stress. This is the time of year when it can strike workers who are unprepared and don’t have adequate shade, water, rest time, and cooling stations to keep their body temperature within acceptable limits. It’s critical to establish a written heat illness…
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Jun
18
2020
Q&A: Know how to address inflammatory social media posts
Question: Several employees have reported that a coworker posted offensive content on Facebook about the recent protests. They say that she’s making “racist” comments and it makes them uncomfortable. Can we discipline the employee? If not, what else can we do to address this behavior? Answer: First, gather all of the facts. Find out exactly…
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Jun
18
2020
WASHINGTON: Governor extends protections for high-risk workers
On June 9, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee extended the protections for employees who are at a higher risk to contract COVID-19 (coronavirus), specifically those aged 65 and over and those with certain chronic underlying health conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The original proclamation expired…
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Jun
18
2020
OREGON: Governor updates reopening orders and mask policy
Governor Kate Brown recently issued a series of orders and decisions affecting Oregon’s phased reopening from restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). This remains a fluid situation. Even as we publish this newsletter, the governor and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) continue to issue new orders and update previously…
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Jun
18
2020
IDAHO: State to entice workers with return-to-work cash bonuses
Idaho Governor Brad Little has announced a plan to pay between $750.00 and $1,500.00 to Idaho workers who return to work after receiving unemployment benefits. Some workers are making more money from enhanced unemployment benefits (which continue through July 31, 2020), than they did when they were working, so employers…
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Jun
18
2020
COVID-19Safety and Health
CALIFORNIA: New statewide face covering order issued
The California Department of Public Health is requiring people to wear face coverings in broadly defined “high-risk situations” statewide, effective June 18, 2020. High-risk situations that apply to workers (whether at a regular workplace or performing work off-site) include: In-person interactions with members of the public; Working in any space visited by members of the…
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Jun
16
2020
ALERT: Title VII protects sexual orientation and gender identity
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that terminating employees because of their sexual orientation or transgender status is discrimination based on sex and therefore violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
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Jun
04
2020
OSHA now enforcing COVID-19 recording on Form 300
Effective May 26, 2020, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requiring employers in covered industries to record work-related incidences of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). As an employer, you must record work-related illnesses on Form 300 unless you’re in an exempt industry or…
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