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Showing posts for: Lorraine Amrine

Jan 20 2022
COVID-19Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp

Q&A: Keep on top of COVID-19 protocols

Question: As we enter this new phase of the pandemic, it seems like everyone is going to get sick. With the vaccination mandate effectively dead, do we need to care anymore? Answer: Yes! It’s been a long haul, and pandemic fatigue is real, but employers still have an obligation to monitor and manage COVID-19 (coronavirus)…

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Dec 16 2021
COVID-19

CMS vaccine mandate back in effect for states that didn’t sue

On December 15, 2021, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that reinstates the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine mandate by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in states that didn’t participate in lawsuits challenging the mandate. As a result, many health care employers in California, Oregon, and Washington are once again…

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Dec 16 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: State extends rules for reporting COVID-19 outbreaks

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has issued a replacement emergency temporary rule, which is identical to the rule we previously reported, regarding employer reporting and notification requirements for infectious and contagious diseases during a public health emergency, including the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The original rules were set to expire on December 8,…

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Sep 02 2021
COVID-19DisabilityOregon

OREGON: Vaccinations required for health care and school workers

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently filed temporary regulations requiring workers in health care and school settings to obtain COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations by October 18, 2021, or else provide documentation of an exemption due to disability or religion. We previously reported that Governor Kate Brown had announced that these workers would have to be fully…

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May 20 2021
Q&A

Q&A: Do vaccine incentives have to be included in OT calculations?

Question: We want to offer a cash incentive to our employees who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 (coronavirus) in order to encourage vaccination rates in our workforce, but we don’t want to recalculate the employee’s “regular rate” for overtime. What can we do? Answer: You’re in luck! The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated its…

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May 06 2021
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: State reverses course on shortened quarantine periods

In updated Statewide Isolation and Quarantine Guidance issued April 24, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority is no longer allowing for a shortened quarantine period for people who have had a close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 (coronavirus) case, even if the individual tests negative during their quarantine period. Individuals who have had a close…

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May 06 2021
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: Oregon OSHA adopts permanent COVID-19 workplace rule

OREGON: Oregon OSHA adopts permanent COVID-19 workplace rule On May 4, 2021, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) released its long-awaited permanent rule, Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks (OAR 437-001-0744). The new rule replaces and is substantially consistent with the now expired temporary rule which we previously reported on. This new rule applies…

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Mar 04 2021
Leave Laws

Q&A: Exceeding intermittent FMLA cert isn’t unexcused absence

Question: One of our employees is medically certified for intermittent FMLA leave due to anxiety, which the health care provider said could happen once or twice a month and last for up to two days. The employee normally works five days a week and recently took an entire week off for anxiety. Since the certification…

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Feb 18 2021
COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC says fully vaccinated people don’t have to quarantine

In its updated guidance regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that fully vaccinated individuals who come into close contact with a suspected or confirmed positive case of COVID-19 don’t have to quarantine if they’re within three months of their last vaccine dose and they remain symptom-free after…

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Feb 04 2021
COVID-19Safety and Health

Some states say fully vaccinated people don’t have to quarantine

Oregon and Idaho have announced that if at least 14 days have passed since a person fully completes their COVID-19 immunization (both doses of the vaccine), they don’t have to quarantine after a close contact exposure to a positive or presumed case of COVID-19. They are, however, still required to monitor themselves for 14 days….

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Jan 07 2021
COVID-19Leave Laws

Consolidated Appropriations Act brings changes for employers

President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 into law on December 27, 2020. The enormous new law includes many separate parts, some of which have implications for employers. The highlights of the package include: An extension of the payback period for payroll taxes that employers had the option to defer under the President’s…

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Dec 17 2020
ArizonaCaliforniaIdaho

States adopt modified quarantine guidance for COVID-19 exposure

Arizona, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana have followed in Washington’s footsteps and adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s new shorter quarantine options either in whole or in part. As we previously reported, the CDC maintains that its prior recommendation of a 14-day quarantine for exposed individuals is still the safest way to…

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