Seyfarth Synopsis: On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (“OSHSB”) approved the long-proposed 2-year “permanent” COVID-19 standard. The new standard took effect on February 3, 2023, after final approval from the Office of Administrative Law, and replaced the current Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”).

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Among other

Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Approves Non-Emergency COVID-19 Standard In Time for the Holidays

Seyfarth Synopsis: Two big changes are on the horizon for California employers:
(1) changes to the COVID-19 general exposure notification requirements and (2) a proposed “permanent” Cal/OSHA COVID-19 standard to take effect January 1, 2023-2025.

The fall season signals change between the warmth and sun of summer and the cold and wet of winter. This year, fall also includes

Continue Reading Changes Coming to CA COVID-19 Requirements

Seyfarth Synopsis: Headlining the employment-related bills that passed the May 27, 2022, House of Origin Deadline is AB 85, which extended COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave to September of this year, as well as bills related to accommodations, leaves, retaliation, and workers’ compensation.

On the deadline for bill introduction, back in February, California legislators introduced 611 bills between the
Continue Reading California Legislative Update: What’s Left To Affect You?

Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 21, 2022, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board (“Board”) voted 6-1 to approve a third adoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (“ETS”). The revised ETS will likely go into effect the first week of May and will expire on December 31, 2022.

Background

As we previously blogged, the first iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS
Continue Reading Third Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS Approved

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Cal/OSHA Standards Board (“Board”) has published proposed language for the third adoption of the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (“ETS”), which will be voted on during the upcoming April 21, 2022 Board meeting. The ETS, assuming it is readopted, will expire on December 31, 2022.

Background

The first iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS took effect on
Continue Reading Third Iteration of the Cal/OSHA ETS is Around the Corner

Seyfarth Synopsis: On February 28, 2022, California’s Governor Newsom issued a press release lifting California’s mask requirements for unvaccinated individuals in indoor settings, downgrading the former requirement to a strong recommendation, effective March 1, 2022.  The same day, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) published updated guidance, tracking Governor Newsom’s announcement. Later on February 28, Governor
Continue Reading California Loosens Indoor Masking Requirements for the Unvaccinated

Seyfarth Synopsis: On February 9, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted the 2022 iteration of California’s COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave law. The new law will be effective Saturday February 19, 2022 (10 days after enactment). It is retroactive to January 1, 2022, and expires on September 30, 2022.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

As you may recall, California’s Supplemental Paid
Continue Reading Groundhog Day: California Reenacts COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

Seyfarth Synopsis: As of January 14, 2022, California employers must ensure that their COVID-19 health and safety protocols are compliant with Cal/OSHA’s Latest COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards. The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the nationwide Federal OSHA ETS vaccine mandate does not impact these separate California-specific requirements, which employers must still comply with here.

Once The Rage,
Continue Reading Beat Goes On In California Though Federal ETS On Mute

Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 16, 2021, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted to readopt the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) with changes that will take effect January 14, 2022. This readoption includes many changes to the current ETS, including an elimination of many of the current distinctions between vaccinated and unvaccinated workers.

Background

The first iteration of the Cal/OSHA
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Adopts Revised and Restrictive COVID-19 ETS

Seyfarth Synopsis: On August 5, 2021, California’s Public Health Department ordered “health care” workers to provide proof that they received their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by September 30, 2021. Unlike the July 26, 2021, Order, the August 5 Order does not allow workers to avoid the vaccine mandate by testing regularly, except for workers who claim a
Continue Reading Health Care Workers In a World of Pure Vaccination