Blog
WHO LURKS ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE?
State and federal laws validly prohibit businesses from discriminating against disabled persons. In California, the Unruh Act provides that disabled people “are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.”
STAYING ABREAST
WORKPLACE PANDEMIC POLICIES & PROTOCOLS
Through 18 months and counting, the pandemic has brought one constant for California employers: change.
Since its initial directive last November, Cal/OSHA has regularly revised and expanded business’s required protocols to check COVID-19’s proliferation.
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 44
FINED DINING
The Labor Commissioner has made an example to deter industry-wide wage violations, settling with San Francisco-based Z & Y Restaurant for $1.6 million on alleged underpayment of 22 workers.
PAY FAIR
In their bid to attract qualified job candidates in today’s high demand- short supply labor market, employers must strictly comply with the California Fair Pay Act.
CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 43
COVID SICK LEAVE NOT OPTIONAL
The California Labor Commissioner has cited Bodega Latina Corporation $447,836 for the failure of three southern California El Super grocery stores to provide supplemental paid sick leave (PSL) for 95 workers impacted by COVID-19.
TIGHTEN UP
REQUIRED VACCINATION FOR CERTAIN HEALTH CARE WORKERS
Tightening a statewide order issued only the week previous, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is now ordering certain health care providers – including hospitals, surgery centers, and medical clinics – to require COVID vaccination status of all “workers.”
RECALCULATING
On July 15, 2021, the California Supreme Court clarified the calculation for the additional hour of so-called premium pay whenever an employer fails to provide an employee with a compliant meal or rest/recovery period.
MY REAL PAY
At last count, I have practiced law for something like 43 years. While I don’t see hanging up my spurs any time soon, the profession’s rewards do not come close to the enduring satisfaction of my volunteer work in literacy and human rights in West Africa.
HEALTH CARE WORKERS MUST VACCINATE OR REGULARLY TEST
On the rising wave of Delta variant cases, the California Department of Public Health(CDPH) is ordering all health care providers – including hospitals, surgery centers, medical clinics and dental offices – to verify the COVID vaccination status of all “workers” and, for those unvaccinated, to require COVID testing at least once per week. The order also directs strict masking requirements for all healthcare workers whether or not vaccinated.
INDOOR FACE COVERINGS RESURRECTED
Under Cal/OSHA’s revised June 17, 2021 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), vaccinated employees only had to wear face coverings indoors for certain outbreaks or in other settings, i.e., public transit, K-12 educational facilities, health care and long-term care facilities, or correctional and detention facilities and shelters.