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Sep 02 2021
Affirmative ActionHarassment & DiscriminationHiring

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Both women and men benefit from recent OFCCP settlements

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently announced two financial settlements from federal contractors following routine affirmative action audits that revealed potential discrimination issues in their hiring processes. Interestingly, one company allegedly discriminated against women and the other company allegedly discriminated against men. Neither company admitted liability but each agreed to pay a…

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Aug 27 2021
Leave LawsTermination & ResignationWashington

Legal Corner: Avoid These Three Workers’ Comp Mistakes

I advise Washington employers A LOT about discipline and terminations. One of my recent calls went like this: “Hi, we have a two-year employee who has horrible attendance and a bad attitude. No one likes working with her. She always complains about anxiety, and last week she was a no-call, no-show. When we got a…

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Aug 19 2021
COVID-19

IRS again updates FAQs for paid leave tax credits under ARPA

On July 29, 2021, the IRS updated its FAQs that address tax credits available to eligible employers who voluntarily provide paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) between April 1, and September 30, 2021, pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). As we previously reported, ARPA extended the optional FFCRA…

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Aug 19 2021
COVID-19Harassment & DiscriminationMontana

MONTANA: FAQs released regarding vaccine discrimination law

The Montana Department of Labor recently released a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning HB 702 (2021), which as we previously reported, prohibits employers and businesses from discriminating against individuals on the basis of vaccination status. The FAQs cover many topics and include the following key interpretations concerning the new law: Applicability to other…

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Aug 19 2021
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: Safety rules updated in light of new mask mandate

On August 13, 2021, Oregon OSHA updated its workplace COVID-19 safety rules to be consistent with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)’s general statewide emergency temporary rule requiring masks to be worn indoors in nearly all business settings as of August 13, 2021. (See our recent Alert on OHA’s mask mandate.) Employers must require employees, contractors, and…

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Aug 19 2021
ArizonaCaliforniaIdaho

Be aware of vaccine rules in your area

As some jurisdictions roll out mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 (coronavirus) for some workers, it’s important to keep an eye on requirements in your local area. Here’s a summary of where things stand as of today:   Federal requirements: On July 29, 2021, President Biden announced that federal agencies must require federal contractors who work on…

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Aug 19 2021
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: New rules for reporting COVID-19 outbreaks

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) released new emergency rules on employer reporting and notification requirements for infectious and contagious diseases during a public health emergency, including the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. These new rules were created to implement the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), which took effect on May 11, 2021 (ESSB…

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Aug 19 2021
COVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health

WASHINGTON: Masks required indoors effective August 23, 2021

Governor Jay Inslee announced yesterday that all individuals, whether vaccinated or not, must wear masks when in an indoor public space beginning August 23, 2021, with limited exceptions. The Washington Department of Health responded by posting Order 20-03.4 (Face Coverings – Statewide). Significant work-related exceptions to this general requirement to wear masks indoors include the…

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Aug 12 2021
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: Mask mandate applies to all businesses August 13, 2021

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has released emergency temporary rules requiring masks to be worn indoors in nearly all business settings as of August 13, 2021, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The rules are in effect through February 8, 2022, unless rescinded sooner. The new rules define indoor spaces to include “public and…

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Aug 05 2021
Leave LawsOregonSafety and Health

OREGON: Sick time covers evacuation orders, bad air, and high heat

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) recently issued temporary rules expanding the reasons for Oregon paid sick leave to include time off related to emergency evacuation orders as well as unhealthy air quality or outdoor temperatures. The rules are effective from July 22, 2021, through January 17, 2022. The provision on evacuation orders…

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Aug 05 2021
COVID-19CaliforniaSafety and Health

CALIFORNIA: Health care workers must be vaccinated or tested

On July 26, 2021, in light of an uptick in COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases and hospitalizations, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced new measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect those most vulnerable. Said to be “a first-in-the-nation standard,” the new measures require all state workers and workers in health care and high-risk…

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Aug 05 2021
Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: New L&I wage and hour guidance for employers

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) adopted two administrative policies providing guidance to Washington employers on state wage and hour topics. These policies (organized in a question and answer format) provide explanations and detailed examples of compliance with the Washington Minimum Wage Act (WMWA), which is generally more favorable toward employees than the…

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