As we recently reported, the privacy-right activist group that sponsored the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) – Californians for Consumer Privacy – is pushing for an even more stringent privacy bill, the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”). The CRPA has now qualified for the November 3, 2020 ballot, gathering more than 600,000
Archives for June 2020
D.C.’s Highly Anticipated Paid Family Leave Program To Launch On Wednesday
After three years of preparation, the District of Columbia’s Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016 goes live this Wednesday, July 1. The law enables eligible employees who work in D.C. to take paid leave for certain family and medical purposes. Earlier this year, the D.C. Department of Employment Services,
Practical Questions for Employers Following the Bostock Decision, Part 1: Sex-Segregated Facilities
On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, holding that, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, covered employers may not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender
CDC Expands List of Individuals At-Risk of Severe COVID-19 Illness
On June 25, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded its list of risk factors of individuals more likely to develop severe illness or die from COVID-19.
A Budding Challenge for Employers? Louisiana Expands Access to Medical Marijuana
In 2015, Louisiana passed a law authorizing the prescription of marijuana for the treatment of certain qualifying medical conditions, such as glaucoma, cancer, and spastic quadriplegia. In 2018, the statutory list of conditions was amended to include post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, and chronic pain. In the same amendment, the legislature
San Francisco Passes Reemployment Ordinance
On June 23, 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an emergency ordinance temporarily creating a right to reemployment for certain employees laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance, titled “Back to Work” emergency ordinance, requires that as certain employers reopen, they must first seek to rehire
Cal OSHA Issues New Workplace Safety Standards for Agricultural Workers
California has adopted the first nighttime work safety standards in the nation which apply to agricultural workers who harvest, operate vehicles, and other tasks between sunset and sunrise. To read the full article and find out more click here.
New California Workplace Safety Standards for Nighttime Agricultural Workers
California has adopted the first nighttime work safety standards in the nation which apply to agricultural workers who harvest, operate vehicles, and other tasks between sunset and sunrise.
The new safety standards are being implemented to address potential workplace hazards caused by poor visibility and require employers to, at a
Long Beach Unanimously Passes COVID-19 Paid Supplemental Sick Leave
On May 19, 2020, the Long Beach City Council unanimously approved a COVID-19 Paid Supplemental Sick Leave Ordinance. This ordinance, which goes into effect immediately, follows similar measures enacted by Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
Quarantine Quandaries – How NY, NJ and CT’s Quarantine Period May Impact Employers
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut issued a joint incoming travel advisory, effective June 25, 2020, requiring all individuals—including Tristate Area residents—to self-quarantine for 14 days when arriving from an “impacted state.” The Joint Travel Advisory defines “impacted state” as a state having: (i) a positive COVID-19 test rate
DOL Provides Guidance on FFCRA Leave Relating to Summer Camp and Program Closures
On June 26, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provided guidance for its Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Investigators relating to when employees may be eligible to take paid family leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when they are unable to work because they are
Tampa Bay’s New Face-Covering Requirements—We’ve Got You Covered
COVID-19 cases in Florida continue to increase, particularly in the Tampa Bay area. In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties have enacted ordinances requiring face coverings in most indoor settings where social distancing (of at least six feet between persons) cannot be
Idaho Offers Cash Bonuses Program for Employees Who Return to Work
Idaho is offering cash bonuses to employees who return to work as the state lifts COVID-19–related restrictions and businesses reopen. In an effort to incentivize employees who are now earning more money due to the additional benefits provided through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, Idaho has implemented a Return to
Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance: A Narrow Amendment With Broad Implications
The Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance and the Cook County Earned Sick Leave Ordinance took effect in July 2017. The language of each ordinance largely mirrors the other, and where an employer falls under the jurisdiction of both, the Cook County Interpretative and Procedural Rules provide that the Cook County
Updated EEOC Guidance: COVID-19 Antibody Testing Cannot Be Required to Return to Work
Earlier this month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its Technical Assistance Questions and Answers on COVID-19 issues to state that employers cannot require antibody testing of its employees before they return to work. The EEOC’s guidance came in response to the CDC’s earlier statement regarding antibody testing. In