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Showing posts for: COVID-19

Sep 08 2020
COVID-19Hiring

Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, through September 19, 2020

The federal 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 fourth 30-day extension of the relaxed standard, with the new expiration now September 19, 2020. As we originally reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for employers that…

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Sep 08 2020
COVID-19

Homeland Security extends H-2A ability to switch employers

To prevent potential food shortages related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Department of Homeland Security has extended its authorization for foreign temporary and seasonal agricultural workers validly in the United States in H-2A status to switch employers as soon as the new employer submits its own H-2A petition. The workers therefore don’t have to wait for…

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Sep 08 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Sonoma County latest to enact emergency EPSL

On August 18, 2020, Sonoma County was added to the list of California localities to enact supplemental emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) related to COVID-19. The urgency ordinance took effect immediately and is set to expire on December 31, 2020 (unless extended), expanding EPSL to employees working in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County who…

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Sep 03 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Interpretive guidance updated for ag COVID-19 safety

On August 28, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee released updated interpretative guidance accompanying the current COVID-19 safety requirements for agriculture on which we recently reported. Washington’s employers in the agriculture industry have endured a steady stream of additional requirements and changes around COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety. The good news is the new interpretive guidance is fairly…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor modifies COVID-19 ag safety, adds testing

On August 19, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee delivered yet another proclamation (Proclamation 20-57.1, Concerning the Health of Agricultural Workers), which imposes even more agricultural COVID-19 requirements for worksites, particularly around isolating and testing workers. Many items are the same as those previously required, but significant new mandates are noted below and listed first. Testing:…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19Leave LawsWage and Hour

WASHINGTON: Governor grants leave for food production workers

On August 13, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed Proclamation 20-67, providing paid leave for food production worker absences related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). This new proclamation took effect on August 18, 2020, and significantly impacts employers operating in the agriculture sector. The proclamation doesn’t protect workers covered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), so…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19Leave LawsOregon

OREGON: Face coverings now required in all office spaces

Governor Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have issued expanded face covering guidance that as of August 13, 2020, requires masks, face coverings, or face shields at all times in all public and private office spaces unless employees are at individual work spaces or in meeting rooms where they can consistently maintain six…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19California

CALIFORNIA: SF issues guidance on reemployment rights ordinance

The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) has issued guidance on the “Back to Work” emergency ordinance, which took effect on July 3, 2020, and will remain in effect for 60 days, through September 2, 2020. As we previously reported, the ordinance gives eligible employees a temporary right to reemployment following a…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19Hiring

Q&A: Expired List B documents temporarily okay for Form I-9

Question: Can we accept an expired driver’s license for the Form I-9 during this COVID-19 pandemic? Answer: Yes, at least for now, if the license expired on or after March 1, 2020. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has a temporary policy in place during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic allowing employers to accept List B…

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Aug 20 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

OSHA goes back to regs on reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations

Recently, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) removed informal guidance from its website explaining when to report work-related COVID-19 (coronavirus) exposures that cause inpatient hospitalizations. As a result, you as the employer should rely on existing regulations for reporting work-related illnesses. As we previously reported, OSHA had published guidance that made it seem…

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Aug 06 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

Federal court invalidates certain FFCRA rules

On August 3, 2020, a federal court in New York threw out a handful of key Department of Labor (DOL) rules for implementing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). As we’ve previously reported, the FFCRA provides emergency sick leave and family and medical leave to employees who are unable to work for reasons related…

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Aug 06 2020
COVID-19DisabilityLeave Laws

DOL expands FMLA COVID-19 FAQs

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently added questions #12-13 to its frequently asked questions about administering the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in light of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The FMLA provides protected leave when an employee is unable to work due to their own or a family member’s serious health condition. A “serious health…

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