Now that the Safer at Home Orders have loosened and most industries are allowed to resume operations, it is important for CA employers to be aware of the requirements that the state and local governments have placed on employers who are having employees return to the workplace. Every CA employer must comply not only with guidance from the state, but also with guidance from the county and city governments (if available).
Pursuant to state guidance, every CA employer must implement a written, worksite-specific COVID-19 prevention plan at every work location. The state has published detailed reopening guidance and checklists tailored to more than 25 industries here: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/. All employers should review the guidance applicable to their industry and review the associated checklist in drafting their COVID-19 preparedness policies.
Additionally, the County of LA has created its own protocols and checklists that employers in that jurisdiction must review, check off every box applicable to their business, post at or near each public entrance to the facility, distribute to staff and train them on. The protocols are available here. (Scroll down to Health Officer Order, click the drop down, and then find the Appendix that pertains to the relevant business.)
The City of LA has also prepared industry guidance and sample posters that employers can use, available here.
The employment attorneys at our firm have reviewed all this guidance, including guidance from the CDC and OSHA, to prepare template policies that we are tailoring for clients who would like our assistance to prepare the policies that they are legally required to have. If you would like our help to create a written COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Plan for your business or if you have any other employment-related needs we can assist with, please contact Diana Friedland at [email protected].
*****
The above summary has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
Bernstein & Friedland, P.C. is a boutique employment law firm in Los Angeles specializing in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and unpaid wage and overtime matters. Please visit our website at https://laemploymentcounsel.com to learn more about us.
