Posts By: Jason Resnick

Cal/OSHA Recommends Even Vaccinated Workers Wear Masks Indoors

Cal/OSHA is now urging all workers to wear face coverings indoors regardless of their vaccination status. The guidance comes in response to an uptick in state COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Cal/OSHA is aligning its guidance with California’s Department of Public Health, which updated its masking guidance last month in light of rising cases and plateauing ...

Cal/OSHA Reminds Employers of Wildfire Smoke Standards to Protect Workers

As wildfires continue to rampage throughout California, Cal/OSHA is reminding employers that the state’s protection from wildfire smoke standard requires them to take steps to protect their workers from the resulting unhealthy air. The greatest hazard from workers comes from breathing fine particles in the air – called PM2.5 – which can worsen pre-existing heart ...

FLCs Encouraged to Submit Renewal Applications 90 Days Out

According to the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Farm Labor Contractors are encouraged to submit FLC and FLCE renewal applications 90 days prior to the license expiry date to ensure renewals are processed timely. The agency previously recommended renewals be submitted 45 days out. Applications submitted fewer than 30 days out are considered ...

Court of Appeal Rules in Favor of FLC and WG Member Growers in Waiting Time Penalties Case

[Updated: See Editor’s note below] On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the California Court of Appeal issued its opinion in Jamie Zepeda Labor Contracting v. Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, a case which had the potential to upset longstanding pay practices in the agricultural industry and expand the ability of the California ...

CDC Issues New Guidance for H-2A Workers

The CDC has released new guidance for H-2A workers about how they may protect themselves from COVID-19. The page also has links to resources related specifically to the COVID-19 vaccination.

DOL Takes Step Toward New H-2A Wage Rule

According to Bloomberg Law, the U.S. Department of Labor has asked the White House to review a proposed rule that would revise the methodology by which it determines the Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) paid to H-2A farmworkers. Last December, a judge blocked the Trump Administration’s attempt to revise the AEWR methodology, agreeing with organized labor groups’ ...