Vigilant Blog
News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp
Jan
07
2021
H-2A workers’ ability to switch employers is extended again
The Department of Homeland Security has again extended the temporary rule allowing certain employers to streamline the process of hiring foreign temporary and seasonal agricultural workers with H-2A status during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency. As we previously reported, Homeland Security implemented the rule change at the beginning of…
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Jan
07
2021
Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, until January 31, 2021
The Department of Homeland Security has again extended its temporary relaxation of the standards for physically inspecting a new worker’s employment eligibility documents when completing the Form I-9. This is the sixth extension of the relaxed standard, which will now expire on January 31, 2021. As we originally reported, Homeland Security…
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Jan
07
2021
Court halts enforcement of executive order on diversity training
A federal district court has temporarily stopped the federal government nationwide from enforcing Executive Order 13950, Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, to the extent that the order prohibits federal contractors from training their employees on “divisive concepts” related to race and sex discrimination and puts federal grantees at risk of…
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Dec
17
2020
States adopt modified quarantine guidance for COVID-19 exposure
Arizona, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana have followed in Washington’s footsteps and adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s new shorter quarantine options either in whole or in part. As we previously reported, the CDC maintains that its prior recommendation of a 14-day quarantine for exposed individuals is still the safest…
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Dec
17
2020
EEOC addresses vaccine mandates
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has added a new section to its FAQs on COVID-19 (coronavirus) to address the degree to which employers can require workers to be vaccinated. The publication, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” addresses considerations under the…
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Dec
17
2020
COVID-19Safety and Health
OREGON: More new documents released on COVID-19 rule
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) continues to release new documents to help employers comply with its COVID-19 (coronavirus) workplace safety rule. As we previously reported, the rule requires employers to develop and implement certain safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. As…
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Dec
17
2020
FFCRA paid leaves set to end on December 31, 2020
The emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) and emergency family and medical leave (EFMLA) created under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) are set to end on December 31, 2020. Although Congress continues to work on passing another COVID-19 relief bill, currently there is no provision in any bill to extend the…
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Dec
03
2020
CDC modifies quarantine guidance for COVID-19 exposure
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new shorter quarantine options for consideration by local public health authorities on December 2, 2020. The CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus) but says local authorities may shorten that time depending on local conditions. The new…
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Dec
03
2020
OREGON: More guidance released on COVID-19 safety rule
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) recently released some new documents to help employers comply with its COVID-19 (coronavirus) workplace safety rule. As we previously reported, the rule requires employers to develop and implement certain safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. On…
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Dec
02
2020
CALIFORNIA: Emergency COVID-19 safety rule effective now
California’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has approved a statewide emergency workplace safety regulation addressing COVID-19 (coronavirus), established by the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. The approved rule took effect immediately, on November 30, 2020, and will remain in effect until October 2, 2021, according to the Board’s webpage for emergency rulemaking on COVID-19…
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