ARE YOU READY ON COVID-19 SAFETY IF A DOSH INSPECTOR COMES KNOCKING?

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Josh Brittingham

Your small business has worked hard to grapple with COVID-19 safety rules. You genuinely care about employee safety. You have paid attention to the CDC guidelines and followed them dutifully. You have implemented a mask policy, increased cleaning of common areas, and required physical distancing. You feel as if you’ve “checked the box” on COVID-19 compliance. Suddenly, a knock at the door of your business reveals an inspector from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Division of Occupational … Continue reading →

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May Employers Require Employees to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Wes Foreman

Many employers are considering whether they can or should require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine once it is available.  Distribution and availability of the vaccine is such that the general public does not yet have access to it, but employers should begin considering how they want to address this issue. As with any topic that involves the health and medical care of employees, employers should know to proceed cautiously.  There are a number of factors that should be considered … Continue reading →

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Washington’s Travel Advisory

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Becca Binford

Governor Inslee’s November 13 Travel Advisory states that persons arriving to Washington from other states or countries should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival.  This does not apply to those involved in Essential Travel. Washington residents are further encouraged to stay home, or stay within their region of the state, as doing so reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission to other parts of the state.

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2020 Labor & Employment Law Webinar

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Becca Binford

We understand the difficulties that businesses are facing to stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving legal landscape as it relates to COVID-19. Please join us 9:00 -11:00 AM PST on November 10, 2020, for our 2020 Labor & Employment Law Webinar. Our agenda includes: Labor Law Update in the COVID World; COVID-19 and the Workplace and Washington Employment Law Update in the COVID World. Please contact, via email, aturner@davisgrimmpayne.com for more information.

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ESD Q&A – CARES Act Federal Stimulus

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

(as of April 21, 2020) Washington ESD has provided the following Q&A as it relates to the CARES Act federal stimulus package: Q: I heard there is legislation that has passed to expand unemployment insurance, how does this affect me? A: This legislation will likely help many people, including people who typically don’t qualify for unemployment benefits – including those who don’t have the usually required 680 hours. We are working as quickly as possible to implement the changes under the … Continue reading →

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Mine Operators and COVID-19

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

FLEXIBILITIES FOR MINE OPERATORS The Mine Safety and Health Administration will work with mine operators when it comes to the following recertifications: Annual refresher training certification (30 CFR Part 46) Surface and underground annual refresher training certification (30 CFR Part 48) Certified person; sampling (30 CFR §§ 70/71/90.202) Certified person; maintenance and calibration (30 CFR §§ 70/71/90.203) Exemptions to recertifications will not be granted; however, their due dates will be extended by at least the time the government is operating … Continue reading →

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ESD Emergency Rulemaking

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

Here is a summarized list of the emergency rules promulgated by ESD related to COVID-19: March 25, 2020 CR 103E (Shared Work)| Emergency rules (3/25/2020) The emergency rule makes changes to shared work eligibility.   March 24, 2020 CR 103E (Job search optional)| Emergency rules (3/24/2020) The emergency rule makes changes to job search requirements for Unemployment Insurance claimants.   March 20, 2020 CR 103E (Consolidated Standby Rules, March 9, March 13, and March 20, 2020)| Emergency rules (3/20/2020) The emergency rule consolidates standby emergency rules from … Continue reading →

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New DOL Guidance on the FFCRA

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Josh Brittingham

Posted on March 25, 2020, by Josh Brittingham On March 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”), Wage and Hour Division, announced its first official set of guidance about the paid-leave provisions in the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), enacted on March 18. New implementing regulations for the FFCRA are forthcoming. DOL issued a fact sheet for employees, a fact sheet for employers, and a Q&A document. These materials clarify the DOL’s position on FFCRA’s requirements and protections, which are discussed here. For convenience, … Continue reading →

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Governor Inslee’s Orders

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

(as of November 15, 2020) The November 15 “Stay Safe-Stay Healthy” Order, Proclamation 20-25.8, is a four-week set of new statewide restrictions (subject to a possible extension) intended to curb further spread of COVID-19.  The restrictions set forth in this Order supplement the already-existing restrictions seen here, here, and here. Governor Inslee also released a document titled COVID-19 Guidance on November 15, which sets forth the various new restrictions that have been put in place as a result of this … Continue reading →

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FEDERAL LEGISLATION: COVID-19 Related FMLA and Paid Sick Leave Requirements (as of March 19, 2020)

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Josh Brittingham

On March 18, 2020,  the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) (the Act) was signed into law. This article discusses the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Paid Sick Leave provisions related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Due to the immense effect this Act may have on small businesses, I have provided a thorough review of relevant questions. APPLICABILITY: When do the COVID-19 related FMLA and Paid Sick Leave provisions take effect? Within 15 days of enactment, … Continue reading →

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Posted in COVID-19, Leave Laws, New Legislation, Oregon, Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Washington | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments