Twenty-two of 27 Republican-led states have announced that they will end enhanced federal COVID-19 unemployment benefits early. Of those, four (Arizona, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma) will offer additional monetary incentives for individuals to return to work. To date, no state with a Democratic governor has chosen to opt out
Archives for May 21, 2021
Oregon Health Authority Issues New Vaccine Guidance—‘Interim Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals’
On May 18, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a new guidance titled, “Interim Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals,” adjusting the applicability and enforcement of current state guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. Here are the key provisions of the new interim guidance.
Beltway Buzz, May 21, 2021
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C. could impact your business.
OSHA Shifts Position on Recordability of Adverse Reactions from COVID-19 Vaccines
In a dramatic shift in its enforcement position with respect to the recordability of adverse reactions from COVID-19 vaccines, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on May 21, 2021, published a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) establishing that employers do not need to record adverse reactions from COVID-19
Proclamation on Suspending Visas for Immigrants Without Health Insurance Revoked
The Trump-era proclamation that would have kept immigrants who could not provide evidence of health insurance within 30 days of coming to the United States has been revoked by President Joe Biden. The move is in accordance with his prior executive order directed at “restoring faith” in the immigration system
Beyond COVID-19: Washington SB 5115 Expands Workers’ Compensation Liability and Notice Requirements for Infectious Diseases
On May 11, 2021, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law SB 5115, the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), which expands the workers’ compensation framework for infectious and contagious diseases and imposes new notice requirements on employers.
Michigan Accelerates Path to Normalcy with Relaxation of Rules
Loss Of Congressional District Dooms Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana Initiative
The Mississippi Supreme Court held on May 14, 2021 that a citizen initiative to legalize medical marijuana violated the Mississippi Constitution. The decision turned on the loss of a congressional district due to the 2000 Census. Butler v. Watson, Case No. 2020-IA-01199-SCT (May 14, 2021).
Background
The Mississippi Constitution allows
Rhode Island Joins List of States Enacting $15 Minimum Wage Law
On May 20, 2021, Governor Dan McKee signed an amendment to Rhode Island law that will see the Ocean State’s minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour by 2025. Beginning January 1, 2022, Rhode Island’s minimum wage will increase from its current $11.50 to $12.25. On January 1, 2023, it
Why HR Should Focus on Ergonomics
Many HR teams recognize the mental and physical toll that working from home has taken on employees. Stress, anxiety, lack of sleep and now a raft of physical ailments from poor ergonomics have led to exploding health care costs for some.
Back to Office at Saks Means Mandatory Vaccines, Optional Manicures
Marc Metrick, the company’s chief executive, says employees will have more flexibility but for reasons having to do with corporate culture, “the default needs to be our office.”
As Amazon, McDonald’s Raise Wages, Small Businesses Struggle to Keep Up
Companies forgo investment and turn down contracts as they compete with jobless benefits and wage increases at larger firms
OSHA Backs New CDC Mask Recommendations … For Now, and Implications for Employer Policies
The day after his inauguration, President Biden signed an executive order directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to “consider whether any emergency temporary standards on COVID-19, including with respect to masks in the workplace, are necessary, and if such standards are determined to be necessary, issue them by March 15, 2021.” Though March 15 has passed, OSHA has reportedly been finalizing an emergency temporary COVID-19 standard that would require blanket use of masks at work, at least indoors.
Los Angeles County Mandates Additional Paid Leave for Some Employees in Unincorporated Areas to Get Vaccinated
California passed an expanded COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave statute (SPSL) in March, that included coverage for employees to get vaccinated. More recently, the County of Los Angeles passed an urgency ordinance on May 18th that mandates additional paid leave for some employees in unincorporated areas of the county to
Don’t be Fooled by the CPRA Effective Date, Employers Have Current Obligations Under the CCPA
The passage of Prop 24, the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (“CPRA”), has caused a bit of confusion among businesses in California. The confusion stems from the fact that the CPRA has an effective date of January 1, 2023, amending the existing California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) when it
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