Question of the Month
Q&A: Eliminating contact with a coworker unreasonable under ADA
Read Our AnswerVigilant Blog
News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp
Feb
17
2022
CALIFORNIA: Masks no longer required for most vaccinated workers
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) order that required everyone to wear masks in indoor public settings regardless of whether they were vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus) expired on February 15, 2022, but the order still requires unvaccinated people to wear masks indoors. As we previously reported, the CDPH originally set…
Read More…
Feb
17
2022
OREGON: General indoor mask mandate to end by March 31, 2022
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently announced that it will lift its general indoor mask requirements on or before March 31, 2022. On February 7, 2022, OHA replaced its temporary COVID-19 (coronavirus) indoor mask rules with “permanent” rules, which means the indoor mask mandate continues to be in effect (the temporary rules were…
Read More…
Feb
17
2022
Washington manufacturer fined $98K after lockout-tagout fatality
Recently the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced a fine of $98,000 against a manufacturer in Sumas, Washington, due to lockout-tagout violations that resulted in a worker’s death. The employee was inside a tank, cleaning it, when an agitator arm turned on. According to L&I, the company, IKO Pacific, had written…
Read More…
Feb
17
2022
WASHINGTON: Indoor mask mandate to end March 21, 2022
Washington governor Jay Inslee held a press conference on 2/17/22 and announced that on March 21, 2022, the state will no longer require masks in public indoor spaces (including workplaces) and schools. The following proclamations from the governor have been updated: Proclamation 21-08.01 COVID-19 Safe Workers. Proclamation 20-25.18 COVID-19 Washington Ready. Proclamation 20-03.07…
Read More…
Feb
11
2022
COVID-19Leave LawsWage and Hour
CALIFORNIA: COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave is back
On February 9, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law reviving supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL). California employers with 26 or more employees will need to provide up to 80 hours of SPSL to employees who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The new COVID-19…
Read More…
Feb
03
2022
COVID-19Harassment & DiscriminationSafety and Health
CDC now uses “up to date” instead of “fully vaccinated”
In updated guidance regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccination status, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now uses the term “up to date” instead of “fully vaccinated.” Up to date means individuals have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible. Workers are eligible for a booster if at least 5 months have passed…
Read More…
Feb
03
2022
OREGON: Masks and vaccines “permanent” in health care and schools
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently replaced its temporary rules regarding masks and COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines in health care settings and schools with “permanent” rules, with the intent to rescind them when they’re no longer needed to prevent the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, Oregon’s general statewide indoor mask mandate (another temporary rule) is set…
Read More…
Feb
03
2022
COVID-19Leave Laws
CALIFORNIA: Lawmakers plan to bring back supplemental PSL
On January 25, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom and California legislators announced a plan to bring back Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) for employees who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As we previously reported, California’s previous law that provided SPSL to employees impacted by COVID-19 expired on September 30, 2021. Currently, Governor Newsom and…
Read More…
Feb
03
2022
WASHINGTON: COVID-19 temporary worker housing rules updated, 1/21/22
On January 21, 2022, Washington's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Department of Health (DOH) made updates to the existing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry. This is the fifth set of modifications since the rules were originally adopted in May 2020. Here are the changes: Cloth face…
Read More…
Feb
03
2022
WASHINGTON: Long-term care premium tax delayed to July 2023
On January 27, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed Substitute House Bill 1732, delaying the implementation of Washington state’s long-term care premium tax from January 1, 2022, until July 1, 2023. As we previously reported, mounting opposition to the program caused Governor Inslee to announce a delay in late December 2021. However, in a…
Read More…