Author: James W. Ward

4212
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) General

Employees Want Permanently Flexible Work, Survey Says

While 76 percent of employees say they want their company to make work permanently flexible (whether schedule- and/or location-wise), according to a new Catalyst and…

4368
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Discrimination

EEOC COVID-19 Vaccines, Accommodations Guidance Updated

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated and expanded guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing questions about objections to employer COVID-19 vaccine…

36523
Posted in General

New 2022 California Employment Laws

This year’s legislative session officially ended with Governor Newsom signing the last batch of bills over the weekend. The COVID-19 pandemic was still challenging for…

exposure
5255
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

COVID-19 Workplace Exposure Notification, Reporting Requirements Revised

On October 5, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 654 (AB 654), which revises and clarifies employers’ COVID-19 workplace exposure notice and reporting requirements…

7993
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Posters and Notices

New Law Still Requires Physical Workplace Postings

As HR practitioners are well aware, federal and California laws require employers to post a large number of notices in the workplace. These notices are…

4283
Posted in Independent Contractor

Proposition 22 Ruled Unconstitutional

California’s worker classification laws have seen significant developments in the last few years. Though the COVID-19 pandemic dominates our time and attention these days, worker…

3486
Posted in COBRA COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Posters and Notices

American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidies Ending Soon

In March, the federal government passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the third federal stimulus package enacted in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic….

3979
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Disabilities

“Long COVID-19” May Be a Disability Under the ADA

On the recent anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Biden-Harris administration released resources supporting individuals experiencing long-term COVID-19 symptoms, sometimes called…

7219
Posted in Hiring

California Court Ruling Could Complicate Background Checks

California employers should take note of a recent appellate court case that could complicate employment background checks. When conducting background checks, it’s common to search…

3833
Posted in Health and Safety Workplace Safety

Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke Exposure

We’re in the midst of California’s 2021 wildfire season, and given the state’s currently hot and dry climate, the California Department of Forestry and Fire…