In August of 2020 Puerto Rico became the first U.S. Territory or State to establish a cause of action dealing with bullying in the workplace. The Puerto Rico Department of Labor issued its sample guidelines for employer compliance on February 3, 2021. Although this act applies only to Puerto Rico it provides an example of protocols for use by employers everywhere.
We have received questions from clients regarding the possibility of subrogation claims against the manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines. The short answer is no. The reasons are interesting. The end result of injuries or claims by employees required to be vaccinated will likely fall on the workers’ compensation system.
Bullying is a worldwide problem and the most recent guidance comes from Ireland. Their new 54 page Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work is valuable for any employer seeking clarification on what constitutes bullying and how to deal with it.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance expanding the pool of people considered at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus by changing the definition of who is a “close contact” of an infected individual.
Following the Executive Order of May 6, 2020 allowing any COVID-19 related illness of an employee to be presumed industrially compensable, on September 17, 2020, Governor Newsom approved two bills that specifically address the COVID-19 crisis. This post provides details of each law and our thoughts.
Here are the latest updates from the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). Starting September 14, 2020, the WCAB will resume holding Lien Trials, which have been postponed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Lien Trials will be limited to just one per judge per day.
