The California Labor Commissioner has published updated FAQs about the COVID-19 2022 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) law, which applies to employers with 26 or more employees. As we previously reported, the 2022 SPSL law (SB 114) took effect on February 19, 2022, requiring covered employers to provide SPSL to…
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Question: One our employees called in sick, saying he had COVID-19 (coronavirus) symptoms. We approved the sick day. His coworker showed us a video of the “sick” employee on a road trip. He lied to us! Can we fire him? Answer: Be careful when questions arise about the legitimacy of an employee’s request for time…
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Question: Early in the pandemic, we didn’t discipline for absences related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). With all that’s changed since then, can we return to our regular attendance policy? Answer: Not so fast. In any state, if an employee quarantines or isolates due to a workplace exposure, the employee may have protection under state…
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If you employ 26 or more employees, we recommend that you notify any California employees how you will handle retroactive requests for 2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL). As we reported in a recent Alert, the 2022 COVID-19 SPSL law (SB 114) takes effect on February 19, 2022, but…
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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) order that required everyone to wear masks in indoor public settings regardless of whether they were vaccinated against COVID-19 (coronavirus) expired on February 15, 2022, but the order still requires unvaccinated people to wear masks indoors. As we previously reported, the CDPH originally set…
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The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently announced that it will lift its general indoor mask requirements on or before March 31, 2022. On February 7, 2022, OHA replaced its temporary COVID-19 (coronavirus) indoor mask rules with “permanent” rules, which means the indoor mask mandate continues to be in effect (the temporary rules were…
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Washington governor Jay Inslee held a press conference on 2/17/22 and announced that on March 21, 2022, the state will no longer require masks in public indoor spaces (including workplaces) and schools. The following proclamations from the governor have been updated: Proclamation 21-08.01 COVID-19 Safe Workers. Proclamation 20-25.18 COVID-19 Washington Ready. Proclamation 20-03.07…
Read More…On February 9, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law reviving supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL). California employers with 26 or more employees will need to provide up to 80 hours of SPSL to employees who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The new COVID-19…
Read More…In updated guidance regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccination status, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now uses the term “up to date” instead of “fully vaccinated.” Up to date means individuals have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible. Workers are eligible for a booster if at least 5 months have passed…
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The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently replaced its temporary rules regarding masks and COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccines in health care settings and schools with “permanent” rules, with the intent to rescind them when they’re no longer needed to prevent the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, Oregon’s general statewide indoor mask mandate (another temporary rule) is set…
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