Seyfarth Synopsis: On October 13, 2021, the San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a revised COVID-19 public health order. Of interest to many employers, the City outlined when certain businesses—such as office workspaces—may allow fully vaccinated individuals to stop wearing face covering indoors. It also outlined the vaccination benchmarks by which the City will lift the indoor universal
Continue Reading I Left My Mask In San Francisco—For Fully Vaccinated Workplaces
Finally! Cal/OSHA Approves Revised Emergency Temporary Standard
Seyfarth Synopsis: Following a rollercoaster ride that lasted for weeks, and culminated in another 4.5 hour long marathon meeting, on June 17, 2021, Cal/OSHA finally approved a revised version of its Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”). While the revised ETS aligns closer to guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”)
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Fast and Furious 3: Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard Drift
Seyfarth Synopsis: Following its June 3, 2021 meeting, when the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted to approve Cal/OSHA’s controversial revisions to the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), the Board convened an emergency meeting on June 9, 2021, where it voted unanimously to pull back the revisions. On June 11, 2021, the Board released a proposed do-over —the third attempt at an
Continue Reading Fast and Furious 3: Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard Drift
Take 3! Cal/OSHA ETS Revisions Still Pending
Seyfarth Synopsis: Less than a week after the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted to approve Cal/OSHA’s controversial revisions to the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), it convened an emergency meeting on June 9, 2021, after which it voted unanimously to pull back the revision. The Board will now send the ETS back for another do-over, to align a new revision with
Continue Reading Take 3! Cal/OSHA ETS Revisions Still Pending
Cal/OSHA Standards Board Approves Controversial Changes to COVID-19 ETS
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 3, 2021, the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board (OSHSB) voted late in the evening to approve Cal/OSHA’s proposed revised Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The revised ETS fails to align with the relaxed measures recommended by the CDC and the Governor’s plans to end virtually all mask and social distancing requirements for vaccinated individuals
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Standards Board Approves Controversial Changes to COVID-19 ETS
Popping the Question: Santa Clara Employers Must Ask About Vaccinations
Seyfarth Synopsis: Santa Clara recently issued an order that requires employers to ascertain and document their workers’ vaccination status by June 1, 2021. This directive has left businesses confused and concerned, with little time to comply. Below is an overview of what employers must do, by when they must do it, and the penalty for noncompliance.
On May 18, 2021,
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California Finally Moves to Reopen
Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 21, 2021, California health officials confirmed that the State’s highly anticipated June 15 reopening date is a go. With this announcement comes the long-awaited release of details about exactly what restrictions are poised to be lifted—which looks to be just about everything, at least on a State level. (Local restrictions may yet apply.)
Ditching
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COVID-19 Exposure Notification Requirements Coming To A Workplace Near You
Seyfarth Synopsis: As California’s legislative session comes to an end, a wave of new COVID-19 related laws that impact employers are being signed into law. On September 17, 2020, Governor Newsom signed AB 685, which will require employers to provide specific notices to employees exposed to COVID-19 within one business day of becoming aware of the exposure, and impacts
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The Ultimate Scapegoat: COVID Inspired Lawsuits in California
Seyfarth Synopsis: As employers expected, the pandemic has brought new challenges to managing a workforce, and of course, new litigation. Here we address hotspots of COVID-19 litigation in California to help employers know where they should be taking special care.
Participants on either side of recent employment litigation in California can often point to the same scapegoat: “COVID made me
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More Laundry? Keeping Uniforms Clean in the Time of COVID
Seyfarth Synopsis: In the popular PBS show Downton Abbey, a large staff attends to the every domestic need of the British Earl and his family. Those of us somewhat less fortunate have likely felt the additional household burdens associated with the SIP orders. And as California businesses re-open, companies and workers have yet another chore to attend: cleaning uniforms
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