In June, California relaxed many of its COVID-19 restrictions, including allowing fully vaccinated individuals to go without a face covering indoors, with limited exception.
OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard Requiring COVID-19 Tests or Vaccinations for Most Employers
The temporary COVID-19 Massachusetts emergency paid sick leave (MA EPSL) has been extended through Apr. 1, 2022.
2020 DMEC Benchmarking Reports
These benchmarking reports are a subset of the 2020 DMEC Employer Leave Management Survey, which was completed by 793 employers, and focus on plan design for workers’ compensation, short-term disability, … Read More
Massachusetts Extends COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave to April 2022
The temporary COVID-19 Massachusetts emergency paid sick leave (MA EPSL) has been extended through Apr. 1, 2022.
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Enacts Paid Sick Leave with New Ordinance
On Sep. 14, 2021, the Allegheny County Council unanimously approved a new paid sick leave ordinance requiring employers with 26 or more employees to provide paid sick leave to its employees.
How to Handle Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act Leave Periods
Amendments to the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and employees will be entitled to 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period, instead of the current 16 weeks of leave in a 24-month period.
2021 DMEC Paid Family & Medical Leave Pulse Survey Results
Paid family and medical leave (PFML) laws have swept the nation in recent years. With no two state plans alike, managing this patchwork of new laws can prove challenging. Employers … Read More
President’s Path Out of the Pandemic Adds Obligations for Employers
On Sep. 9, 2021, the White House issued Path Out of the Pandemic: President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan. The Plan outlines a six-pronged approach, portions of which will impose new obligations on employers across the country.
Oregon Issues New Rule Requiring Vaccinations of Healthcare Workers by Mid-October
Following on the heels of an executive order by Oregon’s governor requiring full vaccination for teachers, staff, and volunteers in K-12 schools, the Oregon Health Authority yesterday issued a new rule requiring that healthcare providers and healthcare staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Oct. 18, 2021.
OSHA Updates Non-Healthcare Employer Guidance on COVID-19
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its COVID-19 guidance for non-healthcare employers, Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace, on Aug. 13, 2021.
2021 DMEC State of Absence Management Pulse Survey Results
Organizations have experienced extraordinary business shifts during the pandemic, with absence management practices being significantly impacted. As we evaluate the new terrain of leave management, it’s pertinent to consider all … Read More
Vaccine Verification and Testing Requirements for Workers in Schools Across California
A week after issuing the first in the nation order mandating all healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, on Aug. 11, 2021, the state of California issued an order mandating either vaccination or regular testing for all workers of schools throughout the state.
Puerto Rico Extends Mandatory Vaccination to Dining and Entertainment Sectors
Puerto Rico has made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for additional industries after Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi extended vaccination requirements for employees in the health and hospitality sectors beginning Aug. 16, 2021.
Pittsburgh Expands COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave
Pittsburgh has joined other American cities by enacting new legislation to address the uptick in COVID-19 cases from a sick leave perspective.
Federal Contractors Must Comply with New COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for On-Site Employees
Federal contractors are being contacted by their contracting agencies about implementing requirements relating to President Biden’s mandate that all federal employees and on-site contractor employees either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face repeated testing.
Connecticut Mandates Vaccination for Employees of Broadly Defined ‘Long-Term Care Facilities’
Connecticut is requiring certain healthcare employees be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Connecticut joins other states, including Washington and Massachusetts, in mandating vaccination.
Puerto Rico Implements Mandatory Vaccination of Certain Employees
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi has issued an Executive Order (EO-2021-058) making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all public employees in the Executive Branch.
New Jersey: Vaccines Or Testing for Workers in Healthcare and High-Risk Congregate Settings
New Jersey is requiring employers in covered healthcare and high-risk congregate settings to establish a policy that: (1) mandates vaccinations or weekly testing for workers; (2) creates a system to track the results of the applicable testing requirements; and (3) creates a system to communicate the results of such testing to local public health departments.
California Mandates Vaccination for Workers in the Healthcare Industry by Sep. 30
The California Department of Public Health issued a new “first in the nation” order mandating that workers who provide services or work in certain healthcare facilities receive their first dose of a one-dose vaccine or their second dose of a two-dose vaccine by Sep. 30, 2021.
Duluth, Minnesota Updates Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
Employers covered by the Duluth, Minnesota Sick and Safe Time ordinance will need to revisit relevant policies in light of amendments that will become effective Aug. 19, 2021.