June 2020: Workers’ Compensation Coverage for COVID-19 Infections
COVID-19
On May 6, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order establishing a presumed eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for employees who contract COVID-19 at work. Prior to this pandemic, having an infectious illness such as the flu would not entitle employees to workers’ comp. coverage because it is nearly impossible to confirm where a person contracted the illness.
Based on the governor’s order, an employee would receive workers’ comp. benefits for medical treatment if:
The employee worked outside of their home at the direction of the employer between March 19, 2020 and July 5, 2020, and
He/she is diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of working at the employer’s place of business.
Reporting a COVID-19 Claim
If an employee informs you of a COVID-19 positive test or diagnosis by a qualified physician, you should respond in the same manner as with a workplace injury. Provide the employee with a DWC-1 form within one working day of being informed of the illness. Report the claim to your workers’ compensation carrier right away. You do not need to make a report of possible exposure or suspected infection. The above steps are necessary only if the employee is confirmed to have COVID-19.
If you have employees who tested positive for COVID-19 between March 19 and May 6 (when the Executive Order was signed), contact your workers’ compensation carrier for guidance on how to proceed with these claims.
Claim Investigation
According to the Executive Order, employers have the ability to dispute COVID-19 claims. Your workers’ compensation carrier will investigate the circumstances involved. This could include evidence of your company’s safety policies such as required social distancing, facial coverings, and hygiene practices for all staff. Based on available facts, the claim may be accepted or denied.
06.02.20
As communities recover from this pandemic, will you have the employees you need to re-open?
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As communities recover from this pandemic, will you have the employees you need to re-open?
85% of applicants admit to lying on their resume or job application, and when they do it’s most likely to be about their skill-set.
Don’t gamble with your company’s recovery – use Sierra HR Partners for legally compliant background checks to make sure that you hire right.
Visit us at www.sierrahr.com today.
06.02.20
The certified consultants at Sierra HR Partners are here to help.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered our offices, stores, factories, and farms.
As the nation now returns to work businesses must rebuild the workplace and develop better human resource practices.
The certified consultants at Sierra HR Partners are here to help. We can recruit and screen the best candidates, navigate legal compliance and other employment challenges, and improve health and safety practices.
For HR expertise and management support, contact Sierra HR Partners today.
Fresno’s New Emergency Order Late yesterday, the City of Fresno released Emergency Order 2020-17. This emergency order provides additional details about announcements made at yesterday’s press conference.
All businesses that are not prohibited by the state from operating are authorized to open to the public. Open businesses must continue to post their Social Distancing Protocol (Appendix A), and businesses must “require their employees, customers, vendors and others to wear cloth facial coverings.”
Restaurant dining rooms may reopen as of May 21, 2020, provided they 1) notify the Fresno County Department of Public Health and 2) follow city, county, and state guidelines. To notify the County, restaurants must complete the document COVID-19 Restaurant Operating Procedures and email it to EnvironmentalHealth@fresnocountyca.gov. Businesses can contact the Environmental Health Department with questions at 559.600.3357.
What Now? Now that businesses may reopen, it is important to have a plan in place. That plan might include:
Background Investigations – This is not the time to take chances on applicants. Ensure you re-open effectively by hiring the right staff. Use background checks to discover what applicants haven’t told you. Sierra HR Partners provides compliant background investigation reports with a 48-hour turn-around to help you make informed decisions.
Written Re-employment Offers – Former employees have likely been taking advantage of lucrative unemployment benefits. These benefits draw, in part, from your business account. As you reopen, document employment offers so that employees are encouraged to come back to work rather than to continue drawing on these benefits.
Safety Plans – It is critical for your business to have a plan in place that details how you will prevent and respond to infection. Not only will this keep you and your customers safe, but failure to plan will risk government fines and penalties. Don’t be overwhelmed by the extensive state guidelines for your industry. Sierra HR Partners can help you develop an infection-specific plan, or to adapt COVID-19 safety measures into your current Injury and Illness Prevention Plan. Don’t let planning difficulties keep you from taking advantage of the reopening economy.
05.06.20
Brenda Budke goes live with KMPH FOX 26!
COVID-19
Our Executive Director, Brenda Budke, went live with KMPH FOX 26, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and it’s effect on local businesses during shelter in place. Thank you for having us, FOX26!
Sierra HR Partners is here to help you through these uncertain times!
Have questions?
Give us a call at 559-431-8090 or submit a note on our contact form.
