On December 30, 2020, Governor Newsom issued a new framework for schools so that school districts can reopen or continue operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s “Safe Schools for All Plan”, is based on increasing scientific evidence that the correct precautions can stop the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The Governor and
Meredith Karasch
CDPH Reduces Quarantine Period Following “Close Contact” Exposures to Align with CDC Guidance, but Public School Districts and Community College Districts Must Follow Stricter Guidance Requiring 14-Day Quarantine
On December 7, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued updated guidance concerning the recommended quarantine period for individuals following a “close contact” exposure to someone with COVID-19. The CDPH guidance now aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (“CDC”) guidance issued on the same subject on December 2.
Now, both the…
Permissibility of Requiring that Employees at Public School and Community College Districts Receive the COVID-19 Vaccination
Given the recent news coverage concerning COVID-19 vaccines and the government’s distribution plan for such vaccines, many of our clients have inquired whether it will be permissible to require school and community college district employees be vaccinated for COVID-19. This question is important from a public health perspective, complicated from a legal one, and almost…
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Issues New Guidance Authorizing Employers to Test Employees for COVID-19
On April 23, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued updated guidance concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Rehabilitation Act and how employers may respond to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19. The EEOC makes clear that while the laws will continue to apply during the present public health emergency,…
Special Bulletin: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Enacted Into Law
On March 18, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an effort to reduce the impact of the virus on American families, the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act) and President Trump signed the bill into law a few hours later. The law will go into effect within 15…
Update, March 16, 2020, 1:20 p.m. Governor Newsom Issues Guidance That All People Over The Age Of 65 and People With Chronic Conditions Should Self Isolate
On March 15, 2020, Governor Newsom held a press conference where he made a further announcement regarding provisions for the public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. As a consideration, in order to protect the most vulnerable, he stated that he was calling for the home isolation of all seniors and people with…
The Importance of Being Earnest in Classifying Employees Exempt From Overtime under the Administrative, Executive and Professional Exemptions
If you think your agency has classified exempt employees correctly, you may want to take a second look. Last month, we reported on the Department of Labor (“DOL”) audit that resulted in an award of $544,715 in back wages against the San Francisco Giants. Part of that award was because the Giants classified employees as…