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EEOC Issues New COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines for Employers

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has affirmed that employers can mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees, subject to some limitations. The EEOC’s updated guidance offers direction regarding employer-mandated vaccinations, accommodations for employees who cannot be vaccinated due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief, and certain implications of pre-vaccination medical screening questions under the Americans […]

January 26, 2021
COVID-19 Relief Bill Extends Unemployment Benefits, PPP and More

The $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill, passed by Congress and signed into law on Dec. 27, includes a number of provisions that affect employers and their workers in terms of paid sick leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act provisions. The legislation also boosts unemployment benefits to out-of-work Americans, as well as reopening and […]

January 26, 2021
California’s COVID-19 Tracking Requirement Challenges Employers

SB 1159, signed into law in September, requires that when a California employer “knows or reasonably should know” that an employee has tested positive for coronavirus, it must report that positive case to its workers’ compensation carrier within three business days. There is a lot of ground to cover in these reports and the legislation […]

January 26, 2021
Top 10 laws and regulations affecting employers in 2021

Every year starts with a bevy of new laws and regulations affecting employers and businesses in California, and many of the new rules this time around are an outgrowth of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on workers. Employers in California in the year ahead have a number of changes they have to contend with, […]

January 26, 2021
Porch Safety: Should You Leave the Lights On?

It seems like a no-brainer to leave the lights on outside your home to deter burglars while you’re away (or even while you’re asleep). But, does that really work? Or, is it just a waste of electricity — particularly this time of year, when the days are short? Those answers can differ depending on a […]

December 18, 2020
How to avoid animal-vehicle collisions (and what to do if you can’t)

About 2 million times every year, animals and cars collide on U.S. roadways — often causing serious and even fatal injuries to drivers and passengers, along with about $1 billion in damage. And these collisions spike in the fall and winter, thanks to migration and mating patterns as well as reduced visibility caused by shorter […]

November 15, 2020
Don’t delay — start thinking about winterizing your RV today

Unless you’re headed to a warmer climate for the winter — or you live in one already — fall is the time to start preparing your RV for winter (as long as you’re done using it for a while, that is). The elements can wreak havoc on your RV’s systems and exterior, but with these […]

November 3, 2020
Future Work Trends Ushered in by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic will lead to permanent changes in the way business is conducted, how we manage our workflows, and how we handle our personnel. It has forced many companies to furlough workers or keep operations going by having staff that, if they can do so, work from home ― and it’s clear the work […]

October 19, 2020
New Rules Require Employers to Provide IIPP upon Request

New Cal/OSHA regulations require employers to provide access to their injury and illness prevention programs upon request. Under the new rule, effective July 1st, employers are required to provide a copy of their IIPP within five days upon an employee’s or an employee’s representative’s (a lawyer’s) request. The employer can provide it in electronic or […]

October 19, 2020
New Law Creates COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Framework

Governor Newsom has signed legislation that creates a new framework for COVID-19-related workers’ compensation claims. SB 1159, which takes effect immediately, partly replaces an executive order that Newsom made on March 18 and which expired July 5. That order required all employees working outside the home who contracted COVID-19 be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. […]

October 19, 2020