Vigilant Blog

News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp

Showing posts for: Wage and Hour

Jun 17 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWage and Hour  

OSHA issues COVID-19 workplace rule for health care employers

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released an emergency temporary rule to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) for employers that provide health care services. The new rule applies to most employers that provide health care services or health care support services. OSHA has published a helpful…

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Photo of Jodi Slavik
May 13 2021
COVID-19DisabilityHarassment & DiscriminationLeave LawsSafety and HealthWage and HourWorkers’ Comp  

WASHINGTON: New law creates more pandemic worker protections

Several important developments have recently occurred in Washington state. We're addressing the following topics in this post - find the full articles below.   New law creates more pandemic worker protections. On May 11, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed ESSB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), creating labor standards that automatically take…

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Photo of Jackie Marks
Apr 15 2021
COVID-19Wage and HourWorkers’ Comp  

ARIZONA: New law shields some businesses from COVID-19 liability

On April 5, 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed into law SB 1377, which protects covered individuals and businesses from liability for COVID-19 related injuries to customers, students, tenants, volunteers, guests, neighbors, or members of the public, if they acted in “good faith” to protect those people from the pandemic. SB 1377 aligns with the…

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Photo of Kara Craig
Apr 01 2021
Harassment & DiscriminationWage and Hour  

Ninth Circuit applies broad standard for equal work

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that differences in pay for men and women in jobs that share a “common core of tasks” may trigger liability under the federal Equal Pay Act (EPA) and a similar Oregon state law that was in effect until January 1, 2019. A female…

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Photo of Karen Davis
Mar 22 2021
COVID-19Leave LawsWage and Hour  

CALIFORNIA: COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave expands

On March 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law that requires employers with 26 or more employees to provide up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) if a California employee is unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental…

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Photo of Kara Craig
Feb 04 2021
Q&ACOVID-19DisabilitySafety and HealthWage and HourWorkers’ Comp  

Q&A: Plan ahead in encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations

Question: Some of our employees have expressed concern about the possibility of a mandatory vaccine policy. What could we do to incentivize our employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19? What legal issues should we worry about? Answer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a Vaccination Toolkit for…

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Photo of Sean Brown
Nov 12 2020
Labor RelationsSafety and HealthWage and Hour  

WASHINGTON: Agriculture exemption from overtime takes a hit

The Washington Supreme Court recently ruled the state’s agricultural exemption from overtime doesn’t apply to dairy workers, in a case with widespread implications for all agricultural employers. Under Washington’s Minimum Wage Requirements and Labor Standards Act, employees must generally be paid overtime for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, unless a…

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Photo of April Uzzardo
Sep 08 2020
COVID-19Leave LawsWage and Hour  

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…

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Photo of Sean Brown
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…

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Photo of Melinda Robinson
Jul 23 2020
COVID-19Wage and Hour  

WASHINGTON Q&A: Process wage garnishments as usual

Question: I just read that Governor Inslee extended the moratorium on garnishments in Washington. I thought you said the moratorium ended on May 27, 2020, for wage withholding. Which is right? Answer: As we previously reported, the governor’s moratorium on garnishment of wages for consumer debt did indeed end on May 27,…

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