With the constantly-changing landscape of COVID-19 protocols, and the first waves of COVID-related employment litigation already hitting California courts, California employers find themselves in a perpetual state of reacting to new governmental mandates, updating workplace policies, and trying to be proactive in an effort to avoid COVID-related lawsuits. Businesses have been forced to divert their attention from routine operations to focus on what has now become business as usual – masks, vaccines, accommodations for both, and constant testing – transforming employers into pseudo-healthcare providers. It is nearly impossible to stay up-to-date on applicable federal law, OSHA/Cal-OSHA regulations, CDC guidance, and the various city and county ordinances, without adversely impacting the business. This article will focus on a few key ways California employers can minimize their COVID litigation risk.
Archives for October 24, 2021
Thousands of workers across the U.S. would rather lose their jobs than be vaccinated
For 33 years, Karl Bohnak worked at his dream job delivering weather forecasts on TV for what he considers one of the most challenging but beautiful spots in the United States — Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Will Covid Really Change the Way We Work?
The U.S. economy is in the throes of what’s been called the Great Resignation: Workers are quitting their jobs at or near the highest levels on record since tracking began in 2001.
Their Jobs Made Them Get Vaccinated. They Refused.
The willingness of some workers to give up their livelihoods helps explain the country’s struggle to reach herd immunity.
Women Do More to Fight Burnout — and It’s Burning Them Out
Three strategies to help companies break this vicious cycle.
Your Most Passionate Employees May Not Be Your Top Performers
Research finds that managers tend to reward passion — even if it’s not correlated with results.
Google Whistle-Blower Says Speaking Out Is Harder Than It Seems
Chelsey Glasson sued Google for pregnancy discrimination and says the process has taken a mental and financial toll
Grocery chain pays $280,000 to settle deaf job applicants’ EEOC claims
Arizona-based supermarket operator Sprouts Farmers Market will pay $280,000 to settle claims that it refused to hire three deaf job applicants or provide sign-language interpreters during job interviews, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said.
McDonald’s workers plan one-day strike to protest sexual harassment of employees
McDonald’s workers in several cities are planning a one-day walkout on Tuesday to protest what they say is continued sexual harassment of employees and to call for the workforce to unionize to help address the problem.
What the Labor Movement Needs to Keep ‘Striketober’ Going, According to New AFL-CIO Leader Liz Shuler
As a burgeoning labor shortage precipitated 10 million job openings and millions of Americans voluntarily leaving their jobs in August, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler was handed an extraordinary job at the nation’s largest labor union federation: Running it.
Responding to a sudden rise in religious accommodation requests
There has been substantial discussion about religious accommodations over the past few months, largely stemming from vaccine mandates issued by government entities and private employers. This is largely unchartered territory for many employers that likely have not had to address a request for religious accommodation before.
Gov. Wolf signs new order to protect workers, raise minimum wage
Governor Tom Wolf signs an executive order imposing new requirements on companies getting money from the state government.
Vaccine mandates create conflict with defiant workers
Josh “Chevy” Chevalier is a third-generation shipbuilder who hasn’t missed a day of work during the pandemic in his job as a welder constructing Navy warships on the Maine coast.
How Governments Can Successfully Support A Hybrid Workforce
Here’s what public sector leaders can do to keep employees healthy and productive—on-site and off.
A disgruntled employee has been sentenced to 6 months in prison for releasing rats at his workplace
An Irish man was sentenced to prison after releasing two live rats in his former workplace.