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Apr 23 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: San Francisco amends paid sick leave ordinance

The City of San Francisco has passed a Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance, which provides up to 80 hours of additional paid sick leave to employees who aren’t otherwise covered by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The public health emergency leave ordinance took effect on April 17, 2020, when signed by Mayor…

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Apr 23 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Paid sick leave expanded for food sector workers

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued Executive Order N-51-20, providing food sector workers with up to 80 hours of “COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave” if they perform work “for or through” a business that employs 500 or more employees in the U.S. This amount is in addition to any already accrued California paid sick leave….

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19OregonSafety and Health

OREGON: COVID-19 workplace safety spot checks are coming

Oregon OSHA recently announced it will begin spot-checking businesses for compliance with social distancing and other safety measures related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). This is in addition to the more thorough on-site inspections initiated by the agency. The on-site inspections will be driven by complaints from employees, who, as we previously reported, are being encouraged by…

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19

Federal student loan garnishments temporarily suspended

The Department of Education (ED) has announced that it will suspend garnishments on federally held student loans dating back to March 13 and continuing through September 30, 2020. This change implements provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which provide relief for federal student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 pandemic….

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

Regular FMLA notices not required for EFMLA, but useful anyway

Covered employers providing emergency/expanded family and medical leave (EFMLA) under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) aren’t required to provide the Notice of Eligibility and Rights & Responsibilities or the Designation Notice that are required under the traditional Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but we suggest FMLA-covered employers do so anyway, with modifications….

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

OSHA eases COVID-19 recording standards for OSHA 300 log

If workers come down with COVID-19 (coronavirus), most employers don’t have to assess whether their illness was work-related for purposes of OSHA recordkeeping requirements, according to enforcement guidance released by OSHA on April 10, 2020. Employers must record work-related illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). OSHA’s guidance acknowledges that…

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19Idaho

IDAHO: Stay home order extended to April 30; business list expanded

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare extended its Order to Self-Isolate through April 30, 2020. The order, which as we previously reported was originally in effect through April 15, 2020, prevents individuals from leaving homes unless they engage in essential activities or essential business services. In addition to extending the time frame for the stay-at-home…

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19

MONTANA: Stay-at-home order extended to April 24, 2020

Governor Steve Bullock extended his Stay-at-Home Directive through April 24, 2020. The order, which as we previously reported, was originally in effect through April 10, 2020, prevents individuals from leaving home unless they engage in essential activities or essential business services. The new expiration date is contained in the State of Montana Coronavirus FAQs, which…

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19Wage and HourWashington

WASHINGTON: Governor suspends garnishments for consumer debts

Washington employers must temporarily stop withholding worker wages under writs of garnishment, according to a proclamation issued by Governor Jay Inslee to ease financial hardships for workers during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This includes writs you currently hold and any new writs you receive starting April 14 and continuing through May 14, 2020. The proclamation temporarily suspends…

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19Leave LawsWashington

WASHINGTON: Seattle prohibits requiring doctors’ notes for PSST

Beginning April 8, 2020, employers in Seattle aren’t allowed to require documentation from a health care provider to verify an employee’s use of Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST), even if the employee is absent more than three days. You must identify another way for the employee to meet your verification requirements, such as by…

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Apr 16 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: San Jose expands paid sick leave

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has signed a paid sick leave ordinance, impacting employers who aren’t required to comply with the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The ordinance took effect on April 7, 2020. As we previously reported, the FFCRA requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide up to 80 hours…

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Apr 14 2020
COVID-19Employee BenefitsLeave Laws

ALERT: High-risk employees in Washington may take protected leave

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has amended his Stay Home – Stay Healthy order to permit protected leave for employees who are at a higher risk to contract COVID-19 (coronavirus), specifically those aged 65 and over and those with certain chronic underlying health conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The amended order, which was issued…

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