5513
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Disabilities Discrimination Workplace Safety

COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Released

On March 4, 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) updated its COVID-19 guidance, addressing several vaccination-related questions. The updated guidance replaces…

6647
Posted in Discrimination

Retaliation, Disability Top Workplace Discrimination Charges

In fiscal year (FY) 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 67,448 workplace discrimination charges — and, once again, retaliation was the most…

9713
Posted in Benefits COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Employee Quitting Due to COVID May Still Collect Unemployment

I have several employees who have quit for COVID-19-related reasons, including lack of child care and fear of being in the workplace. Why are they…

4635
Posted in Hiring

H-1B Visa Initial Registration Opens March 9

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many California businesses still face difficult choices as they confront revenue loss and uncertainty in the future — which has…

8293
Posted in Hiring

Employers With Lengthy Hiring Process May Lose Top Job Candidates

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, when the unemployment rates were at record lows, “ghosting” — when job applicants suddenly stop responding to recruiters or hiring managers,…

5479
Posted in Time Off

CFRA Expansion Complicates Leave Administration for Furloughed Employees

The recent California Family Rights Act (CFRA) expansion has added a new and more complicated layer for small businesses. As previously reported, starting January 1,…

4835
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

California Releases Employer COVID-19 Compliance Portal

As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches the one-year mark, federal, state and local governments have spent the last year continually developing new laws, regulations, ordinances, orders,…

5112
Posted in Compensation Final Paycheck Termination Workplace Safety

Retaliation, Wage Theft Top Recent California Labor Commissioner Citations

Although the California Labor Commissioner has allocated many resources to enforcing COVID-19-related infractions during the pandemic, that doesn’t mean it’s turned a blind eye to…

6512
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

Cal/OSHA Provides Model Template for COVID-19 Prevention Plan

Where can I find a copy or example of a COVID-19 Prevention Plan? In conjunction with the recent adoption of the COVID-19 emergency regulations, the…

5019
Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Local Ordinances

New Sonoma County COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Applies to All Employers

As you may recall, on January 26, 2021, Sonoma County revised and extended its COVID-19 paid sick leave ordinance. The urgency ordinance took effect immediately…