Seyfarth Synopsis: As recent triple-digit temps have shown, California is still one of the hottest places to be—literally. Today’s post reminds all employers, especially with employees who work outdoors or in open-air environments, that OSHA, Cal-OSHA, and the California Labor Code all prescribe protections from the heat.
California rest and recovery breaks.
California employers must provide non-exempt employees with
Continue Reading California is Hot: Avoiding Workplace Heat Illness
Seyfarth Synopsis: Workplace violence is a major concern that can take the form of intimidation, threats, and even homicide. But fret not: California employers can arm themselves with restraining orders, to prevent a modern version of the “Fight Club” at work.
Rule Number 1: If There’s a Workplace Violence Threat, DO Talk About It—In Court
Being at work
Continue Reading Fight Club Rules: Using Restraining Orders to Prevent Workplace Violence
Seyfarth Synopsis: Private employers can face competing obligations when it comes to responding to employees’ expressive conduct. Employee rights may collide with employer obligations to maintain a safe and harassment-free work environment, not to mention the employer’s interest in maintaining productivity and avoiding adverse publicity. Here are some guiding principles.
“How’s work?” A common question, whether at a party, catching
Continue Reading Not Just Sticks and Stones: When Should Employers Step In?
As we trudge through the dog days of summer, temperatures rise, employees daydream about vacation, and, unfortunately, workplace accidents and injuries happen. This is a time to note that some Cal/OSHA District Offices take a very expansive view of injury and illness reporting requirements. And not all District Offices take the same approach! Thankfully, we have a team of Cal/OSHA
Continue Reading It’s Summer! Let’s Take a Dip in the Cal/OSHA.
This blog post was originally published in Seyfarth Shaw’s Environmental & Safety Law Update.
California is one of 22 states and jurisdictions that has its own OSHA Plan covering private sector employers. The federal OSHA law, of course, continues to provide a minimum level of safety, or “floor,” under which these state regulations may not fall. But above this
Continue Reading California Really Is Different: How Employers’ Obligations Differ Under Cal/OSHA With Respect to Reporting Serious Workplace Injuries