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: An employee working remotely from her home in Seattle is demanding a raise because the Seattle minimum wage increased this year. Our company doesn’t have any locations or other employees in the city, so Seattle’s laws don’t apply to us, right? Answer: If you have even one employee who works within the Seattle city…
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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…
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…On January 25, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom and California legislators announced a plan to bring back Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) for employees who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As we previously reported, California’s previous law that provided SPSL to employees impacted by COVID-19 expired on September 30, 2021. Currently, Governor Newsom and…
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As of January 1, 2022, both the premiums and maximum weekly benefits have increased for Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. The premium rate has increased to 0.6% of each employee’s gross wages (not including tips), up to a maximum of $147,000 (which is the 2022 Social Security cap). The split…
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November 4, 2021 OSHA announced its long-awaited COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS), directing employers with 100 or more employees to require their employees to be vaccinated or else submit to weekly testing. The official rule will be effective immediately upon its publication on November 5, 2021, but covered employers will…
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Question: My employee says they tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). There have been so many changes to the requirements that I’m not sure what I should do anymore. Please help! Answer: Start with current federal guidance and then check your state and local requirements. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web page on…
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As of September 30, 2021, tax credits are no longer available for employers who have been voluntarily complying with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) since the beginning of the year. In March 2020, former President Trump signed the FFCRA, which required employers with fewer than 500 employees to…
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