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Showing posts for: COVID-19

Jan 21 2021
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

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 noncomplying employers…

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Jan 21 2021
COVID-19Hiring

New form may be presented as part of an I-9 List A document

On January 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it’s replacing the sticker that it currently issues to extend the validity of Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card, also called a “Green Card”). The sticker is being replaced with a revised Form I-797 (Notice of Action). Generally speaking, when a Green Card is…

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Jan 07 2021
COVID-19Q&ASafety and Health

Q&A: Pandemic precautions affect winter driving

Question: Should we consider any special driving precautions for employees in winter during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic compared to a “normal” winter season? Answer: Yes, this is an entirely new frontier of change, challenges, and struggle for many of us, and preparing for winter driving conditions may require a little more creativity. First and foremost,…

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Jan 07 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: State will transition to regional reopening approach

Governor Jay Inslee has announced that Washington will move from a county to a regional reopening approach during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, beginning on January 11, 2021. The “Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery” plan divides the state into eight geographic regions and initially provides for two levels of reopening: Phase 1 and Phase 2….

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Jan 07 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Updates coming to temporary worker housing rules

The existing safety rules for temporary worker housing (TWH) in the agriculture industry issued by Washington’s Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health (DOH) will soon be updated following their expiration on January 8, 2021. As a reminder, the larger framework for agriculture COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety compliance in Washington continues to be Proclamation 20-57.1, and…

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Jan 07 2021
COVID-19

H-2A workers’ ability to switch employers is extended again

The Department of Homeland Security has again extended the temporary rule allowing certain employers to streamline the process of hiring foreign temporary and seasonal agricultural workers with H-2A status during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health emergency. As we previously reported, Homeland Security implemented the rule change at the beginning of the pandemic to allow any…

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Jan 07 2021
COVID-19Hiring

Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, until January 31, 2021

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 January 31, 2021. As we originally reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for…

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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
COVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health

EEOC addresses vaccine mandates

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has added a new section to its FAQs on COVID-19 (coronavirus) to address the degree to which employers can require workers to be vaccinated. The publication, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” addresses considerations under the Americans with…

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Dec 17 2020
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: More new documents released on COVID-19 rule

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) continues to release new documents to help employers comply with its COVID-19 (coronavirus) workplace safety rule. As we previously reported, the rule requires employers to develop and implement certain safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. As of our last publication, Oregon…

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Dec 17 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

FFCRA paid leaves set to end on December 31, 2020

The emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) and emergency family and medical leave (EFMLA) created under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) are set to end on December 31, 2020. Although Congress continues to work on passing another COVID-19 relief bill, currently there is no provision in any bill to extend the EPSL or the EFMLA….

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Dec 03 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC modifies quarantine guidance for COVID-19 exposure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new shorter quarantine options for consideration by local public health authorities on December 2, 2020. The CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus) but says local authorities may shorten that time depending on local conditions. The new options would allow individuals who…

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