The same types of issues that might arise while employees are working from the office. The key is to ensure that you provide the DWC1 form and understand that it is possible to file a workers’ comp claim although the employee is working from home. The employer is still permitted to investigate whether the injury is work-related. A preventative strategy is to provide employees with the safe equipment (i.e. ergonomically appropriate) to work from home. Provide employees whatever they need to perform the tasks assigned to them from home.
There are PPP loans and other types of SBA loans (which is beyond the purview of this webinar). Check the SBA website and review your insurance policy for business interruption coverage.
(1) Generally given the risk of exposure to COVID – 19 at the workplace, taking temperatures will not violate the right to privacy. All businesses should monitor the health of the workers, but does not necessarily mean the business must take the employees’ temperature. You could ask employees to self-report if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID 19, etc. (Check your local county or city public health order and the CDC industry guidelines to determine if your business has an obligation to take temperatures. Currently in general the answer is no.) (2) Generally, a medical provider determine whether the employee must take the test. In certain circumstances – where there has been a potential exposure to COVID 19, the employer may ask an employee to under a test for COVID 19 even without a medical provider’s input. Be flexible in terms of the employee’s ability to obtain a test if accessing testing facilities is too delayed due to costs or long waits.
Follow the same protocols for RIFs as you would under normal circumstances, but be aware that the Cal-WARN and WARN may have exceptions due to the pandemic. For temperature screenings see https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws
Do the best you can. You may try eBay, Groupon, and etsy. Please beware of scams.
Employees may be subject to discipline, unless the employee has a unique issue where the employee’s medical provider recommended that the employee not wear a mask or face covering. If the latter is the case, then treat this on a case by case basis and determine if there is a potential reasonable accommodation.
Adding partitions, taping the floors, creating alternative work schedules, staggering lunches. The available options depend on the nature and size of the business.
https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance. This is guidance, not a template.
It could be all three provided the Company is covered under FMLA/CFRA.
It depends on your business’s level of risk for contracting COVID -19. Generally, low and medium risk businesses must monitor employee health but that does not necessarily require a daily screening test (either questions or taking a temperature). Providing guidelines to employees and requiring self-reporting of symptoms before coming to work is one way to monitor. Higher risk businesses may require daily screenings.
Review the specific county and city public health order where your business is located for social distancing requirements for customers. There may be reduced occupancy requirements and visitors may be subject to social distancing protocols per the county or city public health order.
It is possible that businesses will be required to close again depending on the impact of the current reopening plan. Some employees, especially some vulnerable employees may decide not to return to work. Employers, however, should not decide to refuse to allow employees age 65 or older not to return to work – treat such issues, if raised by the employee on a case by case basis.
See answer to #10. Santa Clara requires a report to the local public health officer of confirmed COVID 19 cases. If your business sends home an employee for failing a screening test (suspected COVID 19 case), we recommend as a best practice to keep records of the reason the employee was sent home (in the event the employee challenges the employer’s decision to send the employee home).
See Santa Clara County updated Shelter in Place Order effective June 5th.
The specific county or city public health order should specify when face coverings or masks are required. Typically an office environment is a lower risk and if completely enclosed in an office, an individual may remove a mask in some situations. Anywhere else within the office, a mask or face covering must be worn. (This is true of most Bay Area counties, but check your specific county.)
They may remove the face covering to eat/drink at work, but other protocols must be maintained, such as remaining six feet apart.
In a closed office when presenting or speaking over a telephone or via other electronic means – the employee may remove the mask. Look under the “Learn What to Do” tab.
It is strongly recommended, but the nature and extent of the screening will depend on the type of business and risk category. Some businesses are required to conduct screenings. In most situations, the employer can either have the employee self-certify (survey or questionnaire) or have an actual person screening.
We agree that the information we are receiving from the CDC has been changing.
No, you may remove a mask to eat or drink.
There are medical exclusions for individuals who have shortness of breath – however, an individual with a medical excuse for not wearing a mask or face covering may not be permitted to enter work. The requirement that you wear face coverings when at businesses or on public transportation does not prohibit you from removing your mask to address basic biological necessities. For example, you may remove your mask to eat or drink or if you are suddenly short of breath and feel a need for more air. You should replace your mask as soon as possible. You should wash your hands or use hand sanitizer both before and after handling your face covering.
If a confirmed COVID-19 case occurs in the workplace, and your business is located in SCC, report the confirmed case.
Yes
Yes, but only due to the pandemic.
No, a trained employee may screen by taking temperatures.
Correct, the temperature is only one aspect of monitoring the employees’ health.
Yes, look to the specific county and city where your business is located.
No.
See the specific county and city where your business is located. Generally, the postings inform individuals of social distancing protocols within the facility (ie do not come in if experiencing COVID 19 symptoms, etc.)
The crew’s information is not relevant. He has a cough which is a symptom of COVID 19 – ask him to stay home and follow the CDC’s recommended steps for potential COVID 19 exposure.
Some examples might be carpal tunnel, work related stress etc. Try to control the ergonomic issues, as this should help reduce work-related injuries.
No, not a template for determining the risk assessment of the business; however, check the guidance from OSHA. It has good information. See: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf Also, see https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/