Vigilant Blog
News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp
Jul
23
2020
OSHA: Report work-related COVID-19 inpatient hospitalizations
According to recently updated guidance from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must report (not just record) any worker’s inpatient hospitalization for care or treatment of a confirmed, work-related case of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Generally, federal regulations require employers to report inpatient hospitalizations for work-related illnesses within 24 hours of…
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Jul
23
2020
CALIFORNIA: More localities enact emergency paid sick leave
The cities of Sacramento and Santa Rosa, along with San Mateo County, have added to the growing list of local areas in California to offer supplemental emergency paid sick leave (EPSL). In addition to EPSL, the Sacramento ordinance adds employer safety practices and protocols that must also be implemented. Several…
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Jul
23
2020
CALIFORNIA: Governor rolls back reopening
In response to the sharp rise in COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases and hospitalizations, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered a statewide closure of some indoor businesses and county-specific restrictions on others. Affected statewide industries include indoor operations of dine-in restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums,…
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Jul
09
2020
WASHINGTON: Governor expands face covering & reporting rules
Governor Jay Inslee recently issued two proclamations (20-25.5 and 20-25.6), extending Safe Start until August 6, 2020, expanding face covering requirements, and requiring Washington employers to report confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases. Although the public has been required to wear face coverings in almost all situations since June 26,…
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Jul
09
2020
WASHINGTON Q&A: Face coverings required except for work alone
Question: We know that all employees in Washington must wear a cloth face covering except when working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site. What does it mean to be “working alone”? As long as employees stay at least six feet apart from each other, does that mean they’re…
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Jul
09
2020
DOL says child labor laws apply if schools are teaching remotely
According to a field assistance bulletin issued by the federal Department of Labor (DOL), child labor laws that restrict working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds during the school year still apply even if schools are physically closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), for any day or week in which the school…
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Jul
09
2020
DOL clarifies FFCRA leave for closure of summer camps
The federal Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a field assistance bulletin to clarify when employees can take leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) due to the closure of their child’s summer camp or other summer program. As we previously reported, the FFCRA allows employees to take leave for…
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Jul
09
2020
Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, through July 19, 2020
The federal Department of Homeland Security has announced another extension of its temporarily relaxed standard regarding physical inspection of a new worker's employment eligibility documents when completing the Form I-9. This is the second 30-day extension of the relaxed standard, with the new expiration now July 19, 2020. As we previously reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for…
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Jul
09
2020
Q&A: Understand record retention rules for health screenings
Question: We’re requiring employees, contractors, and visitors to our facility to provide their temperatures and answer health screening questions. Do we have to keep records of the answers, and if so, for how long? Answer: There’s no legal obligation to create a written record of actual temperatures or answers to a health screening…
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Jul
09
2020
ARIZONA: Governor orders businesses to help stop spread of virus
Governor Doug Ducey recently issued two executive orders, Executive Order 2020-40 (June 17, 2020) and Executive Order 2020-43 (June 29, 2020), to help limit and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Some of the key elements of these orders that are important to most employers include: Directing businesses to assist in containing the…
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