As employers adjust to the new COVID Supplemental Paid Sick Leave rules, we have received a lot of questions about how to calculate the number of employees to determine if the employer is subject to the SPSL law. Similar to Assembly Bill 1066 (overtime) and Senate Bill 3 (minimum wage), the SPSL regulations also distinguish […]
FELS Newsletter: March 2022
FELS Partners with Harvust to Bring You Streamlined Hiring, Training & Communication
FELS is proud to partner with Harvust, 2021 Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year. Harvust offers electronic and remote software solutions for hiring, training, and communicating with your employees. FELS subscribers can find FELS training and hiring materials ready to go on Harvust and will receive $500 free use of Harvust tools when they sign […]
When is an Employee a “Direct Threat” in the Workplace Under the ADA?
Fiona W. OngShawe Rosenthal A recent case offers a good reminder that there are limits on the protections offered by the Americans with Disabilities Act to employees with disabilities. Among those: Employees cannot pose a direct threat to themselves or others. And it further provides an overview of how to determine whether such a direct […]
Warming Weather Raises Wildfire Smoke, Night Work Concerns
Wildfire Smoke: Recent drought and fire season forecasts indicate California may be in for a bad fire year in 2022. After 2021, when everyone was very focused on COVID-19 and keeping employees safe at work, protecting employees from wildfire smoke could be a center-stage concern this summer. The Cal/OSHA regulation protecting outdoor employees like farm employees […]
Hiring Season is Here!
With spring’s arrival, California ag employers are heavily engaged in hiring for the upcoming season. FELS Newsletter subscribers can access at FELS’ website valuable online Hiring Resources including links to forms and checklists that can help ensure you don’t forget something when you’re hiring. (Remember to log in to your FELS website account when access subscriber-exclusive content.) FELS can […]
Cal/OSHA Releases Updated COVID-19 ETS FAQs
On March 2, Cal/OSHA published updated COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions in response to California Department of Public Health’s revised Feb. 28 masking guidance and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order of the same date suspending indoor masking requirements in the ETS. Specifically, question #4, How does CDPH’s February 28, 2022 Guidance for the […]
Newsom Issues EO Updating COVID-19 ETS
On Feb. 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order (EO) updating the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) in light of California Department of Public Health’s face-covering guidance of the same date. Per the EO, section (c)(6)(A) of the ETS (GISO § 3205) is suspended, and as of March 1 masks are no longer […]
Dropping COVID-19 Case Numbers Prompt New Mask Guidance
Rapidly dropping COVID-19 case numbers in February prompted U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to issue revised guidance on the use of face coverings. On Feb. 25, CDC issued revised masking guidance recommending that individuals residing in communities with: Low COVID-19 risk wear a mask based […]
