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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19Oregon

OREGON: BOLI clarifies temporary max hours for manufacturers

Earlier this week, we reported on a temporary rule that the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) adopted, permitting manufacturers of essential products to allow employees to work up to 91 hours in a workweek (13 hours per day times 7 days per week). BOLI adopted the rule to address potential manufacturing shortages caused…

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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19Washington

WASHINGTON: Order extended to May 4; business list updated

Last night Governor Jay Inslee extended his Stay Home – Stay Healthy order through May 4, 2020. The order, which was issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), was originally in effect through April 6, 2020. The order prevents individuals from leaving home unless they engage in essential activities or essential business services. Unless…

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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19Employee BenefitsLeave Laws

WASHINGTON: ESD proposes new rules for PFML

The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) is asking for feedback by May 6, 2020, on proposed rules affecting the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. These proposals have nothing to do with the current pandemic or federal emergency leave benefits and are mostly minor technical changes. However, they do include a long-awaited requirement…

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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19CaliforniaWage and Hour

CALIFORNIA: Call-in scheduling triggers reporting time pay

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that California’s reporting time pay requirements extend to employees scheduled for “call-in” shifts even if they aren’t required to physically report to work. Workers at a retail store were required to call their manager 30 to 60 minutes before a scheduled shift to see if the…

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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19

Background check disclosure okay despite extra language

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that an employer complied with the stand-alone disclosure restrictions imposed by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) despite adding minimal language about what the background check (“consumer report”) entailed, how it would be obtained, and how the information would be used for employment purposes. As…

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Apr 03 2020
COVID-19Safety and Health

COVID-19 safety podcast on social distancing in manufacturing available

The Vigilant safety team has recorded a 23-minute safety podcast with information on requirements and best practices for social distancing in a manufacturing environment. Give it a listen. Our safety professionals have been fielding many questions from Vigilant members on how to keep employees safe from potential exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus) while still maintaining production. Still…

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Mar 31 2020
COVID-19OregonWage and Hour

OREGON: Some manufacturers may exceed maximum weekly hours

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) filed a temporary rule that permits manufacturers of certain non-perishable goods to allow employees to voluntarily work up to 91 hours in a workweek. This temporary rule is being adopted as an emergency response to the critical demand for certain non-perishable products during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic….

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Mar 31 2020
COVID-19

ARIZONA: Governor Doucey issues stay-at-home order

Arizona joined numerous states around the country yesterday when Governor Doug Doucey issued his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” order, requiring individuals to stay home except to engage in limited activities deemed essential. The order was issued on March 30, 2020, and takes effect at 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2020 (Executive Order 2020-18)….

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Mar 31 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

DOL continues to issue and change informal FFCRA guidance

As we previously reported, the Department of Labor (DOL) has begun issuing informal guidance surrounding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) via an ever-expanding and changing set of questions and answers on the paid leave that is available beginning April 1, 2020. We’re hoping the DOL will issue actual rules soon, but in the…

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Mar 31 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

CARES Act provides historic relief to businesses and workers

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (H.R. 748) into law. This is the third federal relief package related to COVID-19, with $2.2 trillion directed to individuals, business, governments, and the public sector. Below are brief summaries of the provisions of particular interest to most…

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Mar 31 2020
COVID-19

FFCRA policy and list of COVID-19 Vigilant resources now available

In response to member requests, we’ve drafted a model policy for leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and we’ve also created a document with links to COVID-19 (coronavirus) resources, including all of our newsletter articles on this topic. For the FFCRA model policy, please keep in mind that we’re still awaiting regulations…

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Mar 27 2020
COVID-19Leave Laws

Small employers now need to learn about FMLA administration

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which goes into effect April 1, 2020, expands the definitions of eligible employee and covered employer under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in a way that will affect employers who previously were too small to be covered by the FMLA. Prior to the expansion, an…

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