As part of his continuing response to the increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in California, Governor Gavin Newsom released the COVID-19 Employer Playbook on July 24 to assist employers in navigating reopening and responding to virus outbreaks in the workplace.
In issuing the playbook, Gov. Newsom reminded employers that, although the playbook provides detailed information to assist them in identifying employees with positive COVID-19 tests, communicating with other employees, and strategies in preventing outbreaks, both employers and employees must also follow applicable state, county, and local health department guidance.
The playbook is a good resource for employers. It summarizes information previously available on the California Roadmap to Recovery website, guidance and regulations issued by the California Department of Public Health, California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and federal, state, and local employee benefits such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, State Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave, and Worker’s Compensation. The playbook also provides an extensive list of federal and statewide resources, now available to employers and employees in one place.
We have developed many customizable resources to support employers’ efforts in safely returning to work. These include tracking of state and local orders on return to work requirements and essential/nonessential work; policy templates and guidelines for key topics such as social distancing procedures, temperature testing, and workplace arrangements for high-risk employees; and webinar training on safety measures for return to work. View the full list of return to work resources and consult our workplace reopening checklist.
For our clients, we have formed a multidisciplinary Coronavirus COVID-19 Task Force to help guide you through the broad scope of legal issues brought on by this public health challenge. Find resources on how to cope with the post-pandemic reality on our NOW. NORMAL. NEXT. page and our COVID-19 page to help keep you on top of developments as they unfold. If you would like to receive a digest of all new updates to the page, please subscribe now to receive our COVID-19 alerts, and download our biweekly COVID-19 Legal Issue Compendium.
If you have any questions or would like more information on the issues discussed in this LawFlash, please contact any of the following Morgan Lewis lawyers:
Los Angeles
Kathryn T. McGuigan
Orange County
Carrie A. Gonell
Daryl S. Landy