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Q&A: Eliminating contact with a coworker unreasonable under ADA
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News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp
Aug
27
2021
Legal Corner: Avoid These Three Workers’ Comp Mistakes
I advise Washington employers A LOT about discipline and terminations. One of my recent calls went like this: “Hi, we have a two-year employee who has horrible attendance and a bad attitude. No one likes working with her. She always complains about anxiety, and last week she was a no-call, no-show. When…
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Aug
19
2021
MONTANA: FAQs released regarding vaccine discrimination law
The Montana Department of Labor recently released a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning HB 702 (2021), which as we previously reported, prohibits employers and businesses from discriminating against individuals on the basis of vaccination status. The FAQs cover many topics and include the following key interpretations concerning the…
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Aug
19
2021
OREGON: Safety rules updated in light of new mask mandate
On August 13, 2021, Oregon OSHA updated its workplace COVID-19 safety rules to be consistent with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)’s general statewide emergency temporary rule requiring masks to be worn indoors in nearly all business settings as of August 13, 2021. (See our recent Alert on OHA’s mask mandate.) Employers must require…
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Aug
19
2021
Be aware of vaccine rules in your area
As some jurisdictions roll out mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 (coronavirus) for some workers, it’s important to keep an eye on requirements in your local area. Here’s a summary of where things stand as of today: Federal requirements: On July 29, 2021, President Biden announced that federal agencies must require federal contractors who work on site at…
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Aug
19
2021
WASHINGTON: New rules for reporting COVID-19 outbreaks
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) released new emergency rules on employer reporting and notification requirements for infectious and contagious diseases during a public health emergency, including the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. These new rules were created to implement the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), which took effect on…
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Aug
19
2021
WASHINGTON: Masks required indoors effective August 23, 2021
Governor Jay Inslee announced yesterday that all individuals, whether vaccinated or not, must wear masks when in an indoor public space beginning August 23, 2021, with limited exceptions. The Washington Department of Health responded by posting Order 20-03.4 (Face Coverings – Statewide). Significant work-related exceptions to this general requirement to wear…
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Aug
19
2021
IRS again updates FAQs for paid leave tax credits under ARPA
On July 29, 2021, the IRS updated its FAQs that address tax credits available to eligible employers who voluntarily provide paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) between April 1, and September 30, 2021, pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). As we previously reported, ARPA…
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Aug
12
2021
OREGON: Mask mandate applies to all businesses August 13, 2021
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has released emergency temporary rules requiring masks to be worn indoors in nearly all business settings as of August 13, 2021, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The rules are in effect through February 8, 2022, unless rescinded sooner. The new rules define indoor…
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Aug
05
2021
WASHINGTON: New L&I wage and hour guidance for employers
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) adopted two administrative policies providing guidance to Washington employers on state wage and hour topics. These policies (organized in a question and answer format) provide explanations and detailed examples of compliance with the Washington Minimum Wage Act (WMWA), which is generally more favorable…
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Aug
05
2021
CALIFORNIA: Health care workers must be vaccinated or tested
On July 26, 2021, in light of an uptick in COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases and hospitalizations, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced new measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect those most vulnerable. Said to be “a first-in-the-nation standard,” the new measures require all state workers and workers in health care and…
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