California Enacts COVID-19 Exposure Notification Law

Last month, California signed into law a new rule for employers that requires notification to employees of COVID-19 exposure at work. This new law will go into effect on January 1, 2021 and goes a long way in protecting employees who work for California employers from contracting and possibly spreading this incredibly harmful disease. Understanding what is required of employers is critical for workers who have the right to be notified in the new year. If you would like to learn more about this or have questions about another employment law issue, call or contact an experienced California employment law attorney in your area today.

Requirements of the New Law

Under the new law, employers are required within one business day to inform their employees of a potential COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. Specifically, all California employers must comply with the following. 

• Provide written notice to all employees as well as employers of subcontracted employees who were on the premises at the same worksite as the infected or potentially infected individual that they may have had COVID-19
• Provide a written notice of the exposure or potential exposure to any union
• Provide all potentially exposed employees and any union with information regarding COVID-19-related benefits in addition to the anti-retaliation and anti-discrimination protections under California law
• Notify all employees, and the employers of subcontracted employees and any union on the disinfection and safety plan that the employer plans to implement and complete, per CDC guidelines

In addition, if an employer is notified that the number of cases at their workplace constitutes an outbreak under California’s Public Health definition, the employer within 48 hours must notify the local public health agency and provide the names, number, occupation, and worksite of each employee that has contracted COVID-19. An employer is not allowed to retaliate against an employee for disclosing their COVID-19 exposure or status, nor is an employer allowed to retaliate against an employee who utilizes their COVID-19 related benefits.

Protecting Employees in California

The passage of this law is particularly important for California employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the winter months approaching, experts are warning of a second wave of serious coronavirus outbreaks. This new law will help protect workers from being exposed to employees who may carry the virus as well as their loved ones by preventing the spread to others in their homes.

Employers who fail to adhere to the new notification protocols will be subject to state penalties for unlawfully exposing their employees to the virus. They can also be penalized for failing to inform the local public health authorities if there has been an outbreak at the workplace.

Call or Contact an Employment Law Attorney Today

If you or someone at your workplace would like to learn more about the new COVID-19 Exposure Notification law or learn more about the COVID-19 benefits you may be entitled to, call the office or contact a knowledgeable California employment law attorney in your area today.