California Governor Gavin Newsom has released a 32-page “Employer Playbook” that’s designed to help employers “plan and prepare for reopening their business and to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers.” The Playbook contains general guidance applicable to all industries, such as how to manage an outbreak, record cases, and enforce mask requirements. … Continue Reading
Employers may face juries that seek to hold them responsible if an employee contracts COVID-19, the trial consulting firm Dispute Dynamics suggests in its latest study. Dispute Dynamics surveyed 321 individuals, inquiring about their most up-to-date attitudes in the context of being called as a potential juror during/following the pandemic. 46% of the participants indicated … Continue Reading
As businesses reopen and employers continue to adjust to the new reality created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to anticipate the types of employment-related claims that may arise. On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 10:00 AM PDT, please join Proskauer’s Labor and Employment Department for a complimentary webinar as we provide an overview … Continue Reading
As we previously reported, last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom and California’s State Public Health Officer cleared the music, film and television industry to resume work no earlier than this Friday, June 12, 2020, subject to county-by-county approval. On June 10, 2020, Los Angeles County Director of Public Health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, announced that she was … Continue Reading
California has long been considered one of the “capitals” of the fitness industry as it is home to thousands of gyms and boutique fitness studios. COVID-19 hit the state’s fitness industry particularly hard when shelter-in-place orders were announced in mid-March and, as we detailed in an article last month, now presents unique reopening challenges. On … Continue Reading
On Friday June 5, Gov. Newsom announced that California has authorized the music, film and television production industries to reopen on or after this coming Friday, June 12, 2020. The same day, Gov. Newsom announced the reopening of fitness facilities, day camps, and several other industries. Although the State Public Health Officer had been … Continue Reading
As we discussed in a guest column in The Hollywood Reporter in April, the entertainment industry faces unique challenges as it plans to resume operations. On May 20, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom suggested that California would release guidelines for reopening the entertainment industry by Memorial Day. However, to date, California’s Public Health Officer has not … Continue Reading
When courts begin to ramp-up operations and start to impanel juries again for the thousands of backlogged civil and criminal trials, the composition of the jury pool may look different, suggests Dispute Dynamics. Dan Gallipeau and Jill Huntley Taylor at Dispute Dynamics conducted a 300-participant nationwide study last week to determine what, if any, effect … Continue Reading
On May 6, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-62-20, which creates a time-limited rebuttable presumption that workers who are still reporting to their employer’s workplace and who test positive for COVID-19 are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Specifically, the Order provides that any COVID-19-related illness of an employee shall be “presumed to arise out … Continue Reading
UPDATED April 29: Mayor Garcetti has signed the Ordinance. Employers who have laid off workers due to COVID-19 may soon be required to rehire the laid off workers before they can hire any new employees. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a measure giving specified workers a “right of recall.” Employees who work in … Continue Reading
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued two new public orders in response to COVID-19’s continued growth and effect on essential businesses. Both of these public orders go into effect on Friday, April 10. The first order contains provisions relating to grocery retail store, drug retail store, and food delivery employees. It mandates: Grocery … Continue Reading
On March 27, 2020, the Los Angeles City Council approved a new ordinance that would have required Los Angeles employers to provide up to 80 hours of supplemental sick leave relating to COVID-19. The broadly-worded ordinance provoked opposition from some in the business community. Last night, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti signed a Public Order Under … Continue Reading
As we previously reported, six Bay Area counties and the City of Berkeley previously issued expansive shelter-in-place orders requiring all but “Essential Businesses” to cease operations. Yesterday, all seven jurisdictions (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties and the City of Berkeley) issued orders extending their shelter-in-place requirements through May … Continue Reading
From various employment law implications to managing employees working remotely, employers are faced with unprecedented challenges amid the COVID-19 crisis. As Proskauer’s Coronavirus Resource Center continues to supply advisable tips for clients worldwide, Anthony Oncidi, Cole Lewis and Nayirie Mehdikhani step in with advice for California-based employers as they devise their contingency plans. Read their … Continue Reading
On Wednesday, March 25, please join us for a virtual Q&A session as we respond to your questions about the unique and complex workplace challenges presented by Coronavirus (COVID-19). In order to answer as many questions as we can in our one hour session, please submit your questions in advance to CoronavirusResponseTeam@proskauer.com by 5:00 p.m. … Continue Reading
Today, March 19, 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 requiring all individuals living in California to “stay home or at their place of residence except as necessary to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors.” Individuals are permitted to leave their homes for necessities such as obtaining food, prescriptions and … Continue Reading
As we reported yesterday, cities and counties across California are issuing orders to slow the spread of COVID-19. Since our last post, Orange County and the City of Palm Springs have joined the list. Orange County’s Public Health Order, which took effect March 17, 2020, prohibits social gatherings and requires bars and other establishments that … Continue Reading
This morning, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order that allows a California employer that is conducting layoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic to use the newly-created “unforeseen business circumstances” exception to the state’s WARN Act requirements. More specifically, the order indicates that: Mass layoffs, relocations or closures fall under the newly-created “unforeseen business … Continue Reading
In the last few days, California’s most populous cities and counties have issued broad-sweeping guidelines to businesses to curb the spread of COVID-19 through enhanced social distancing measures. These orders, most of which last through the end of March or early April, vary significantly in scope and severity. On March 15, 2020, the City of … Continue Reading
The California Labor Commissioner’s Office has issued an important new FAQ Memo for accommodating and paying employees in connection with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – FAQs on laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office Can an employee use California Paid Sick Leave due to COVID-19 illness? Yes. If the employee has … Continue Reading
The California Employment Development Department has issued the following guidance regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19): An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (COVID-19) has been identified starting in Wuhan, China. There is no evidence of widespread transmission of COVID-19 in California at this time. While investigations to learn more about the virus are … Continue Reading
The coronavirus can affect employers by implicating many different issues of employment law, from sick leave to disability discrimination. For a full breakdown, download our handy guide on the Coronavirus here.… Continue Reading
As concerns about the newly identified Coronavirus spread in the United States, and elsewhere around the world, employers should consider the steps they can take to prepare for potential impact to their workplace and employees. On February 5, 2020, at 9:00 AM PST, please join Proskauer’s Labor & Employment department for a webinar as we … Continue Reading
