May 20 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

CALIFORNIA: Cal/OSHA to revise proposal on masks and vaccines

According to news reports, the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board (OSHSB) will delay consideration of revisions to Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) for non-health care workplaces until Cal/OSHA has an opportunity to consider the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)'s relaxed mask guidance for fully vaccinated workers. The OSHSB was scheduled to consider…

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May 06 2021

Safety and Health  

WASHINGTON: New law requires safety training for temps

Washington governor Jay Inslee has signed a new bill that requires staffing agencies and host employers in manufacturing and construction to coordinate their safety training for temporary workers. The new law, SHB 1206, takes effect July 25, 2021, and applies to temporary workers assigned to industries in sectors 31 through…

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May 06 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

OSHA says reactions to mandatory vaccines may be recordable

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently posted FAQs stating that if an employee has an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine that was mandated by their employer, the reaction is recordable if it’s a new case and meets the usual criteria for recordable injuries and illnesses. OSHA says…

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Apr 15 2021

COVID-19Safety and Health  

Q&A: Vaccinated employees must still wear masks at work

Question: Several employees have informed us that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Do they still have to wear masks and stay 6 feet apart at work? Answer: Yes, if any orders or regulations issued by local, state, or federal authorities still impose workplace restrictions. Vaccination greatly reduces the likelihood that…

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Apr 15 2021

COVID-19DisabilityHiringPrivacy & Confidentiality  

CALIFORNIA: CCPA privacy notice expands to include vaccine records

We recently expanded our model data privacy notice under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018 to include vaccination records and disclosures to third parties who have a business need to know the information. See our newly revised Model Form, Notice of Data Privacy for Employees and Applicants, for…

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Mar 22 2021

COVID-19Leave LawsWage and Hour  

CALIFORNIA: COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave expands

On March 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law that requires employers with 26 or more employees to provide up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) if a California employee is unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental…

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Mar 18 2021

COVID-19DisabilityEmployee BenefitsHarassment & DiscriminationLeave Laws  

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 impacts benefits, leaves, and more

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the latest COVID-19 relief bill, offers a 100 percent COBRA subsidy and expands eligibility for paid leave tax credits, among other provisions. The bill was signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021. COBRA subsidy: Employees who lose employer-sponsored group health insurance coverage…

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Feb 18 2021

Affirmative ActionHarassment & Discrimination  

Google pays $3.8 million after OFCCP audit

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently announced that Google LLC has agreed to pay over $3.8 million to resolve allegations of discrimination in pay and hiring, which came to light in a routine affirmative action audit of its facilities in California and Washington. The company, which is…

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Jan 21 2021

COVID-19  

EEO-1 Report portal to open in April 2021

The portal for submitting EEO-1 Reports for the 2019 and 2020 calendar years won’t open until sometime in April 2021. Normally the portal opens each January, with a submission deadline of March 31. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) didn’t open the portal for the 2019 submission, due to the COVID-19…

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Jan 21 2021

COVID-19Leave LawsSafety and Health  

CALIFORNIA: Cal/OSHA updates COVID-19 workplace safety FAQs

On January 8, 2021, Cal/OSHA significantly expanded the FAQs for California’s emergency temporary standard addressing COVID-19 workplace safety. As we previously reported, the standard took effect on November 30, 2020, and will remain in effect until October 2, 2021. Some of the key clarifications are: Enforcement: Until February 1, 2021, Cal/OSHA will cite…

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