Vigilant Blog

News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp

Showing posts by Karen Davis

Photo of Karen Davis
Nov 18 2021
Affirmative ActionCOVID-19Safety and Health  

FAQs updated for federal contractor vaccine mandate

On November 10, 2021, revised versions of the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors and accompanying contractor FAQs were posted on the Safer Federal Workforce website. The new guidance incorporates the current deadline for covered contractor employees to receive their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine: January…

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Nov 15 2021
COVID-19Safety and Health  

ALERT: OSHA COVID-19 vaccine mandate on hold for now

On November 12, 2021, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered federal OSHA not to implement or enforce its COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency temporary standard (ETS) until a full judicial hearing can be held. As we previously reported, OSHA published the ETS on November 5, 2021, requiring employers with 100…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Nov 04 2021
COVID-19DisabilityLeave LawsSafety and HealthWage and Hour  

ALERT: OSHA releases vaccine mandate for employers with 100+ workers

November 4, 2021 OSHA announced its long-awaited COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS), directing employers with 100 or more employees to require their employees to be vaccinated or else submit to weekly testing. The official rule will be effective immediately upon its publication on November 5, 2021, but covered employers will…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Nov 04 2021
Q&ACOVID-19DisabilityEmployee BenefitsLeave LawsSafety and HealthWorkers’ Comp  

Q&A: Know how to respond to positive COVID-19 result

Question: My employee says they tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). There have been so many changes to the requirements that I’m not sure what I should do anymore. Please help! Answer: Start with current federal guidance and then check your state and local requirements. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web page on…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Nov 04 2021
Affirmative ActionCOVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health  

More questions answered on federal contractor vaccine mandate

On November 1, 2021, new FAQs for federal contractors subject to President Biden’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine mandate (Executive Order 14042) appeared on the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force website. Here are some highlights from the FAQs: Pending accommodation requests: It’s okay if you’re still reviewing requests for accommodation due to disabilities or sincerely held…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Nov 04 2021
COVID-19Safety and Health  

Cal/OSHA updates FAQs on quarantine for unvaccinated workers

Cal/OSHA recently updated the FAQs for its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to allow a shortened quarantine period for unvaccinated workers who are exposed to the virus. The ETS, which took effect on June 17, 2021, requires most unvaccinated workers who are exposed to COVID-19 (coronavirus) to quarantine for at…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Nov 04 2021
COVID-19  

CALIFORNIA: Health care vaccine mandate expands to more workers

On September 28, 2021, California’s Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order expanding mandatory COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines in the health care industry to include workers in adult and senior care facilities and in-home direct care settings. The order, Adult Care Facilities and Direct Care Worker Vaccine Requirement, says these workers must…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Oct 21 2021
COVID-19Safety and Health  

Still waiting on federal OSHA COVID-19 ETS

According to news reports, federal OSHA submitted its draft COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency temporary standard (ETS) to the Office of Management and Budget on October 12, 2021. As we previously reported, President Biden ordered OSHA to draft the ETS, requiring employers with 100 or more employees to ensure workers are vaccinated…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Oct 21 2021
Affirmative ActionHarassment & DiscriminationWage and Hour  

OFCCP rushes to extract settlements at close of FY 2021

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) raced to secure financial settlements from federal contractors at the close of the agency’s 2021 fiscal year, which ended on September 30, 2021. After conducting routine affirmative action audits of selected companies, the OFCCP alleged discriminatory practices in compensation and hiring. Each of the…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Sep 28 2021
Affirmative ActionCOVID-19Harassment & DiscriminationSafety and Health  

ALERT: Guidance released on federal contractor vaccine mandate

On September 24, 2021, the Biden administration released guidance on the new vaccine mandate for federal contractors, entitled COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors. The new guidance implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, issued by President Biden on September 9, 2021.…

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