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May 21 2020
COVID-19Oregon

OREGON: State supreme court keeps governor’s orders intact for now

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 first…

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May 21 2020
COVID-19DisabilityOregon

OREGON: Retailers must provide face coverings for workers

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 of COVID-19 (coronavirus). These businesses…

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May 21 2020
COVID-19Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Garnishment moratorium extended

On May 15, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced that the Washington Legislature agreed to extend the temporary moratorium on garnishment for consumer debts that was imposed by the governor’s Proclamation 20-49. The original proclamation expired on May 14, 2020, but the revised version (Proclamation 20-49.1) extends the moratorium until 11:59 p.m. on May 21, 2020….

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May 21 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Use Vigilant policy for COVID-19 manufacturer safety

Vigilant has developed a model policy to help comply with Washington’s Phase 2 requirements for manufacturing employers to continue or reopen operations, which we reported on in our last newsletter. Under Washington’s Phase 2 manufacturing requirements, each manufacturing facility is required to create a written exposure control plan for COVID-19 (coronavirus) that addresses those requirements….

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May 21 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor issues Phase 2 construction requirements

On May 15, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee’s office issued guidance for construction activity in counties that have entered Phase 2 of Washington’s reopening. The memo permits all construction to resume in Phase 2 counties, as long as employers and workers can meet all the criteria listed in the Phase 2 Construction COVID-19 Job Site Requirements….

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May 14 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC issues detailed COVID-19 guidance for manufacturers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has issued interim guidance for manufacturers to protect workers from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The CDC partnered with OSHA to create the guidance. The guidance explains that workers in manufacturing may have an increased risk of contracting the…

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May 14 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC increases length of recommended isolation for COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance to increase the recommended isolation time for COVID-19 (coronavirus) illness in situations when sick individuals seem to have recovered but haven’t been tested to determine whether they’re still contagious. For individuals who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, home isolation is recommended…

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May 14 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: L&I finalizes rules for temporary worker housing

On May 12, 2020, Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) released new requirements for temporary agricultural worker housing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Here’s what you need to know if you’re the housing operator for your employees (or if you’re responsible for a housing operator’s compliance with these rules): Effective and…

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May 14 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

DOL updates FFCRA paid leave FAQs, May 2020

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has updated its frequently asked questions on paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The DOL added questions #89 to 93. As we previously reported, the FFCRA applies to employers with fewer than 500 employees. These new FAQs address COVID-19 leave questions related to domestic service workers, temporary…

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May 14 2020
COVID-19DisabilitySafety and Health

EEOC updates guidance on COVID-19 disability accommodations

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently clarified in its COVID-19 FAQs what to do if an employee with a disability has one of the underlying medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that puts them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (coronavirus). The FAQs address common…

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May 14 2020
COVID-19Q&A

Q&A: Be alert to unemployment fraud during pandemic

Question: Our business has received a number of unemployment claims that seem odd, including some from employees who are still working. We know that unemployment claims are way up due to business slowdowns related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), but is there something that we should be doing about these unusual or unexpected claims beyond responding to…

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May 14 2020
COVID-19Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: New manufacturing requirements released

In a memo on May 12, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced a comprehensive list of Phase 2 – Manufacturing Facility COVID-19 Requirements for businesses located in counties where Phase 2 of the governor’s reopening plan is in effect. The requirements apply to all manufacturing in the state of Washington, with the exception of certain food…

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If you are a manufacturing or agriculture employer in Washington and committed to keeping your employees safe and working, you may be eligible for Vigilant's workers' compensation Retro or claims management programs. To see if you qualify fill out our release form now, or contact us.

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