On November 15, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee tightened down COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions throughout the state by significantly limiting social gatherings, recreation, and certain indoor activities through December 14, 2020. These latest restrictions roll back some of the reopened activities previously allowed during the pandemic, but they don’t replace any of the…
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The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) recently released a model COVID-19 infection notification policy as well as an infection control plan. As part of the agency’s new COVID-19 workplace rule, on which we previously reported, all Oregon employers must establish a process to notify employees of potential workplace…
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Governor Kate Brown has issued Executive Order 20-65, limiting gatherings, recreation, and certain indoor and outdoor activities through December 2, 2020, to control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The latest restrictions don’t replace any existing industry-specific or workplace guidance, requirements, or restrictions, so long as they’re consistent with the Order. The Oregon…
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California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board met today to consider a proposed statewide emergency workplace safety regulation addressing COVID-19 (coronavirus). We’re awaiting word on whether the Board approved it. If it’s approved, the Board will submit the proposal to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL), which will have ten calendar days to review…
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The Department of Homeland Security has again extended its temporary relaxation of the standards for physically inspecting a new worker’s employment eligibility documents when completing the Form I-9. This is the sixth extension of the relaxed standard, which will now expire on December 31, 2020. As we originally reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for employers operating…
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With the incidence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) increasing, the states of California, Oregon, and Washington have issued coordinated travel advisories encouraging people to stay home and avoid nonessential travel outside their region. The advisories further recommend that people entering the states (returning or arriving) from another state or country after non-essential…
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On November 6, 2020, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) released its long-awaited temporary rule on “Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks.” The new rule applies to all employers in the state of Oregon, with additional requirements for certain employers depending on size, work performed, and industry. Under the rule, employers…
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently changed its definition of “close contact” to determine potential exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus). “Close contact” is now defined as a combined total of 15 minutes within a 24-hour period within six feet of someone infected with the virus. Previously, close contact was defined as a…
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Question: We hired an employee a few months ago who has been working remotely during the pandemic. Our HR manager remotely inspected the Form I-9 verification documents at the time of hire. The employee will now be reporting to a physical location and the onsite manager will be inspecting the…
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Governor Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently revised the statewide face covering guidance, which impacts all employers in the state. The new guidance mandates that face coverings be worn in all “public and private workplaces,” including any indoor or outdoor place where people work. As we previously reported, private…
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