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

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Mar 04 2021
COVID-19Q&A

Q&A: Out-of-state remote work raises compliance issues

Question: Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many of our workers are working remotely, and some are working out of state. Do we have to comply with laws in the states where they’re located? Answer: It depends on the state where the remote worker is performing work. Generally, workers are governed by at least some…

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Mar 04 2021
Leave Laws

Q&A: Exceeding intermittent FMLA cert isn’t unexcused absence

Question: One of our employees is medically certified for intermittent FMLA leave due to anxiety, which the health care provider said could happen once or twice a month and last for up to two days. The employee normally works five days a week and recently took an entire week off for anxiety. Since the certification…

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Mar 04 2021
COVID-19MontanaSafety and Health

MONTANA: Legal liability limited for businesses re: COVID-19

On February 10, 2021, the recently elected Governor of Montana, Greg Gianforte, signed Senate Bill 65, which helps limit lawsuits associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus) against individuals, property owners, product manufacturers, and businesses. For businesses, the law essentially minimizes the risk of lawsuits for harm or damages associated with COVID-19, as long as the organization has…

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Mar 04 2021
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: More localities extend COVID-19 paid sick leave

The following California cities and counties can now be added to the list of those that have extended and/or revised their COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) ordinances: Los Angeles (city): The City of Los Angeles supplemental paid sick leave ordinance applies to businesses with 500 or more employees within the City of Los Angeles…

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Mar 04 2021
COVID-19Safety and Health

Lack of machine guards and lockout/tagout result in safety citations

Question: Are safety and health agencies still paying attention to “regular” pre-existing safety regulations, or are they mostly focusing on COVID-19 (coronavirus) protocols? Answer: Yes, federal OSHA and state safety and health agencies are continuing to address safety concerns and violations unrelated to COVID-19. Recently, federal OSHA came onsite to investigate a partial finger amputation…

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Feb 23 2021
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

From the CEO desk: creating a culture of safety

Washington Manufacturer: I am personally persuaded that there is no greater purpose in life than to love and serve others well. This is the reason why I find so much gratification leading our Vigilant team in our mission to help employers promote safe, fulfilling, legally compliant, and productive work environments, improving the lives of their…

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Feb 18 2021
COVID-19Safety and Health

CDC says fully vaccinated people don’t have to quarantine

In its updated guidance regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that fully vaccinated individuals who come into close contact with a suspected or confirmed positive case of COVID-19 don’t have to quarantine if they’re within three months of their last vaccine dose and they remain symptom-free after…

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Feb 18 2021
Affirmative ActionHarassment & Discrimination

Google pays $3.8 million after OFCCP audit

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently announced that Google LLC has agreed to pay over $3.8 million to resolve allegations of discrimination in pay and hiring, which came to light in a routine affirmative action audit of its facilities in California and Washington. The company, which is a federal contractor, signed a…

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Feb 18 2021
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Santa Rosa COVID-19 paid sick leave extended

The Santa Rosa City Council has voted to temporarily reinstate and amend its emergency supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) ordinance related to COVID-19. Read our article on the City’s original ordinance (which expired on December 31, 2020) here. The new amended ordinance took effect on February 2, 2021, and is set to expire on March…

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Feb 18 2021
COVID-19Employee BenefitsWashington

WASHINGTON: Unemployment benefits expand for high-risk workers

On February 8, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee signed SSB 5061, which expands Washington’s unemployment insurance benefits to high-risk individuals and members of their households, who voluntarily quit their jobs during a public health emergency such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) can begin providing benefits to those individuals starting…

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Feb 04 2021
COVID-19CaliforniaLeave Laws

CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles County extends COVID-19 paid sick leave

Los Angeles County has passed an ordinance extending its COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave after its previous ordinance expired on December 31, 2020 (read our original article on the county’s ordinance here). The new ordinance is set to expire two weeks after the local emergency order expires. In addition to extending the duration of supplemental…

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Feb 04 2021
COVID-19Hiring

Form I-9 remote inspection extended again, through March 30, 2021

The Department of Homeland Security has again extended its temporary relaxation of the standards for physically inspecting a new worker’s employment eligibility documents when completing the Form I-9. This is the eighth extension of the relaxed standard, which will now expire on March 30, 2021. As we originally reported, Homeland Security relaxed the requirement for…

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