Author: James W. Ward

3127
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

Guidance Released on Updated COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)

As previously reported, on April 21, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) approved a third readoption of the California Division of Occupational Safety and…

4690
Posted in Disabilities

Can Employees Sue for Unwanted Birthday Parties?

In Kentucky, a former employee was recently awarded $450,000 after an unwanted birthday party. HR professionals across the country have been clicking on these headlines…

4260
Posted in Discrimination General

Ninth Circuit Asks California Supreme Court About FEHA Liability for Agents of Employers

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has asked the California Supreme Court to determine whether a business entity acting as an agent of an employer…

5310
Posted in Harassment

New Federal Law Prohibits Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment, Assault Claims

On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021  (the Act), which…

3449
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Policies

California Again Relaxes Face Covering Rules, Updates Workplace Safety Rules

Following the universal indoor face covering requirement’s expiration and the state’s SMARTER plan unveiling, California took another step forward in its efforts to move past…

3726
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Time Off

Labor Commissioner Releases COVID-19 Supplemental Sick Leave Guidance

Following closely on the heels of releasing its COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) poster, the California Labor Commissioner published new guidance, a series of…

3925
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

California’s Universal Indoor Face Covering Order Expires February 15

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently updated its face covering guidance and announced that it will not be extending its universal indoor face…

5202
Posted in Reporting Requirements

Pay Data Reporting Deadlines, Resources

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has updated its pay data reporting guidance for this year and set the report deadline for April…

vaccine mandate on hold
3192
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

And Just Like That! Fed OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards Are Back On.

On the evening of Friday, December 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dissolved the stay previously in effect for the federal…

3581
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board Adopts Revised COVID-19 ETS

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) met on December 16, 2021, to consider a second readoption of its COVID-19 Workplace Emergency Temporary Standard…