Insight & Commentary on California Workplace Law Issues & Developments
The same week that California’s third round of COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave went into effect, the Governor released the state’s strategy for the endemic phase of COVID-19.
Aligning with the new endemic strategy, on February 28, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued revised guidance regarding masks. Effective March 1, 2022,…
In late January, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he and the legislature had reached an agreement on a framework to revive COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL), which expired in September 2021. However, there was no bill and only speculation on what coverage would look like.
On February 2, 2022, Assembly Bill 84…
California employers are required to post their annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses, including COVID-19 illness, in a visible and easily accessible area at every worksite from February 1st through April 30th. Employers are required to use Cal/OSHA’s Form 300A for this posting.
Employers can find an overview regarding completing both…
In mid-December, as COVID-19 cases began to rise, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reinstituted indoor masking requirements and Cal/OSHA confirmed that requirements applied in the workplace. When issued, the mandate was only supposed to remain in effect until January 15, 2022.
However, with COVID-19 cases still on an uptick, the CDPH has…
As 2021 draws to a close, here is a review of our articles about changes to California employment law that will continue to affect employers into 2022.
Legislative Changes
Statewide Right of Recall Bill Signed by Governor Newsom
New Legislation Signed Regarding Wage Theft
Expansion for CFRA Leave to Include Parents-in-Law and Modifications to DFEH…
Less than 24 hours after the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) new mask mandate went into effect, the CDPH updated its guidance to clarify the application of the mandate. Previously, the mandate by the CDPH referenced “indoor public settings” without further definition. In the updated guidance, the CDPH clarifies that “the guidance applies to…
The federal OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) is currently paused while the Sixth Circuit decides its fate. Similarly, Cal/OSHA had previously postponed its discussions of changes to the state’s COVID-19 ETS to see what would happen with OSHA.
However, time is starting to tick on the current Cal/OSHA ETS, which expires on January…
As uncertainty about the federal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard persists, Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board has announced it will not discuss the changes to California COVID-19 ETS at its November 18th meeting. The Board’s consideration of the Horcher proposal (a verbatim adoption of the federal OSHA regulation) will be delayed until there is a…
In June, California relaxed many of its COVID-19 restrictions, including allowing fully vaccinated individuals to go without a face covering indoors, with limited exception. Also in June, Cal/OSHA passed an amended Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) that allowed for fully vaccinated employees to go without a face covering in most situations.
However, as California…
On October 5, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 654 (AB 654), which expands the types of employers who are exempt from COVID-19 outbreak reporting requirements. Specifically, under AB 654, employers such as community clinics, adult day health centers, community care facilities, and child daycare facilities are exempt from COVID-19 outbreak reporting required under Assembly…
