Vigilant Blog
News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp
May
07
2020
Homeland Security temporarily eases immigration for ag workers
The Department of Homeland Security has published a temporary final rule to streamline the employment of temporary and seasonal agricultural workers with valid H-2A status who are already in the U.S. The H-2A immigrant classification applies to alien workers who perform agricultural work of a temporary or seasonal nature, usually…
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May
07
2020
WARN notice required despite unforeseeable business circumstances
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued FAQ guidance on the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) that’s specific to the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The FAQs briefly explain the WARN Act and suggest that employers may use the unforeseeable business circumstances exception if they have a covered layoff or…
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May
07
2020
ARIZONA: Stay-at-home order extended, some opening allowed
Arizona Governor Doug Doucey recently modified and extended his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” order. As we previously reported, the original order required individuals to stay home except to engage in limited essential activities. It was in effect until April 30, 2020. The new Executive Order 2020-33 extends the original…
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May
07
2020
CALIFORNIA: Governor issues four-part plan for reopening state
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a framework for gradually reopening the state of California, with certain low-risk businesses being able to open as early as May 8, 2020 (Executive Order N-60-20). As we previously reported, the governor issued an order on March 19, 2020, which closed all non-essential businesses and…
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May
07
2020
CALIFORNIA: Workers’ comp presumed if positive for COVID-19
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) will have an easier time getting workers’ compensation benefits under an order signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom on May 6, 2020 (Executive Order N-62-20). Under the order, employees who tested positive for, or were diagnosed with, COVID-19 on or after March 19, 2020, will…
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May
07
2020
CALIFORNIA: L.A. County requires supplemental paid sick leave
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the latest in a string of local California municipalities to pass an ordinance providing supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) to workers not covered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The Los Angeles County interim urgency ordinance affects businesses in the unincorporated…
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May
07
2020
OREGON: Governor issues guidance for reopening state
Today, Governor Kate Brown released a phased plan for reopening Oregon, which allows individual counties to begin reopening if they can meet certain prerequisites (e.g., declining cases of COVID-19, established testing regimen, contact tracing system, etc.). Some rural counties that have no or very few cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) can…
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May
07
2020
WASHINGTON: Governor announces phases for reopening state
On May 4, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee extended the Stay Home — Stay Healthy order through May 31, 2020, and issued the state’s Safe Start plan that sets out the criteria for reopening Washington in phases so as to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus). Phase 1 of reopening began May…
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May
07
2020
EEOC delays 2019 EEO-1 Report due date to March 2021
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it’s delaying the deadline for the 2019 EEO-1 Report for a full year, so it will be due in March 2021. The 2019 data should have been due on March 31, 2020, but the EEOC never got the submission portal up and running. The…
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Apr
30
2020
CDC updates list of possible COVID-19 symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its list of possible COVID-19 symptoms. Previously the agency had listed only fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The new list of symptoms expands “shortness of breath” to include difficulty breathing and adds the following six symptoms: chills, repeated shaking with chills,…
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