The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that terminating employees because of their sexual orientation or transgender status is discrimination based on sex and therefore violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
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Effective May 26, 2020, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requiring employers in covered industries to record work-related incidences of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). As an employer, you must record work-related illnesses on Form 300 unless you’re in an exempt industry or…
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published detailed guidance for employers on reopening office buildings. The COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings webpage includes specific steps and tips for employers planning to reopen office buildings. The CDC guidance is organized into the following six categories: Create a…
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Vigilant member states are reopening at different rates, some on a statewide basis and some on a county-by-county basis as efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) appear to be having an impact. Here’s a summary of the reopening status of each state: Arizona: Businesses are open, with restrictions, as of May…
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Late on May 18, 2020, the Oregon Supreme Court issued an order that upholds Governor Kate Brown’s executive orders related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) until the court hears a legal challenge to their validity. Earlier that day, a state circuit court judge in Baker County temporarily invalidated the governor’s statewide orders. Oregon was in its…
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On May 15, 2020, Governor Kate Brown issued new guidance for reopening businesses throughout the state of Oregon. The mask and face covering guidance says that certain businesses, including retail stores, must require employees, contractors, and volunteers to wear a mask, face shield, or face covering to prevent the spread…
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States are implementing reopening plans in the wake of COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, some more quickly than others. Many are reopening in phases, but several states are allowing counties to apply for accelerated reopening, making it challenging for businesses to know what phase and/or guidelines apply. Below is a list of…
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On April 28, 2020, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA) adopted a temporary rule to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in employer-provided housing, labor-intensive agricultural operations, and agricultural transportation. The new rule increases minimum standards for sanitation, toilet facilities, and handwashing facilities, and provides social distancing…
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Today, Governor Kate Brown released a phased plan for reopening Oregon, which allows individual counties to begin reopening if they can meet certain prerequisites (e.g., declining cases of COVID-19, established testing regimen, contact tracing system, etc.). Some rural counties that have no or very few cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) can…
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Although the Oregon Employment Department believes it isn’t feasible to update its computer systems to waive the normal one-week waiting period to obtain unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Oregon Governor Kate Brown says she’ll work with the department to make it happen. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES…
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