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

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 →

Posted in COVID-19 | Tagged Coronavirus, COVID-19, MSHA | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Unemployment Benefits (WA), Washington | Tagged Coronavirus, COVID-19, Unemployment, Washington | Leave a comment

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 →

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

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 →

Posted in COVID-19, Legal Updates, Uncategorized, Washington Law Against Discrimination | Leave a comment

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 →

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

COVID-19 and Commercial Truck Driver Requirements (as of March 19, 2020)

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

FEDERAL. Effective March 13, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial truck drivers transporting emergency relief in response to COVID-19. This waiver is in effect for 30 days (April 12) unless extended. On March 18, 2020, FMCSA expanded the regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for: Medical supplies and equipment … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged COMMERCIAL DRIVING, Coronavirus, COVID-19, FMCSA, HOURS OF SERVICE | Leave a comment

Oregon Government Response to COVID-19

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

An ongoing list of enacted Oregon State legislation related to employment issues and COVID-19. (as of May 1, 2020) Governor Kate Brown’s executive order directs Oregonians to stay at home. This Order “remains in effect until ended by the governor.” As of May 1, some non-urgent medical procedures can resume if the hospital, medical office, or dental office meets the state requirements for COVID-19 safety precautions. Additional restriction may be eased depending on numerous factors, including the declining number of COVID-19 cases, … Continue reading →

Posted in COVID-19, Oregon | Tagged Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employment Laws, Oregon | Leave a comment

Employment Legislation – State of Washington

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

An ongoing list of enacted Washington State legislation related to employment issues. (As of March 18, 2020) Washington HB 2965, among other things, added $25 million appropriation from the budget stabilization account for expenditure into the COVID-19 unemployment account. It became effective on March 17, 2020. Washington HB 2739 adjusted certain requirements of the shared leave program. Includes a provision of shared leave for employees in isolation or quarantine as requested or ordered by a public health offiical or health … Continue reading →

Posted in COVID-19, Washington | Tagged Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employment Laws, Washington | 2 Comments

COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits in Washington (as of March 18, 2020)

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

(as of April 21, 2020) Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) has issued emergency rules for the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. They have also prepared a comparison guide for some common COVID-19 scenarios that affect benefits. Here are Summaries and Questions and Answers provided by the ESD for Employers related to COVID-19: CARES Act and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Federal stimulus in the recently enacted CARES Act creates Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for businesses and workers affected by COVID-19. How will the CARES Act help me? … Continue reading →

Posted in COVID-19, Unemployment Benefits (WA), Washington | Tagged Coronavirus, COVID-19, Unemployment, Washington | 4 Comments

COVID-19 and WARN Act Layoffs (as of March 18, 2020)

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Chris Hilgenfeld

In reviewing whether layoffs are required, there are a number of legal factors that may come into play. One of those is the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (“WARN”) Act. The WARN Act was designed to offer protection to workers by requiring employers to provide 60 days notification in advance of plant closings and covered mass layoffs. Q: Does the WARN Act still apply if are forced to suspend operations on account of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its aftermath? A: … Continue reading →

Posted in COVID-19, Legal Updates, WARN Act | Tagged Coronavirus, COVID-19, layoff, WARN Act | Leave a comment