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New COVID-19 Notice Requirements for California Employers

1/12/21

By: Chelsea Whelan

The new year ushers in new rules for California employers receiving notice of potential COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. California Labor Code section 6409.6 became effective January 1 this year following the passage of Assembly Bill 685 and will sunset on January 1, 2023. Section 6409.6 requires employers provide written notice within one business day to employees potentially exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace. 

What Constitutes “Notice of Potential Exposure”?

Section 6509.6 defines notice of potential exposure as exposure to a “qualifying individual”. A “qualifying individual” is defined as an individual who has been diagnosed, tested positive for or died from COVID-19, or anyone subject to a COVID-19-related order to isolate by a public health official. (Cal. Lab. Code section 6509.6(d)(4).) Accordingly, section 6509.6(d)(3) defines notice of potential exposure to COVID-19 as notice either that an employee is a qualifying individual or that an employee was exposed to a qualifying individual at the workplace. 

Written Notice Requirements

In order to comply with section 6509.6, employers notified of potential exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace must provide written notice to all employees, as well as the employers of subcontracted employees, who were on the premises at the same worksite as a qualifying individual within the infectious period. The notice can be sent via email, text or personal service if it can reasonably be anticipated to be received by the employee within one business day of sending. Also, the notice must be in English or the language understood by the majority of employees. The following must be included in a written notice:

  • Information regarding COVID-19-related benefits an employee might be entitled to under federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to workers’ compensation and options for exposed employees, including COVID-19-related leave, company sick leave, state-mandated leave, supplemental sick leave, or negotiated leave provisions.
  • Notice of antidiscrimination and antiretaliation protections for employees disclosing a positive COVID-19 test or diagnosis.
  • Notice of the disinfection and safety the employer plans to implement and complete per the guidelines of the federal Centers for Disease Control.

As described in the notice requirements above, section 6409.6 contains antiretaliation and antidiscrimination protections for workers disclosing a positive COVID-19 test, diagnosis or order to quarantine or isolate and allows for the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement to issue citations and penalties for violation of the statute.

Section 6409.6 also requires employers to report a COVID-19 outbreak to the State Department of Public Health within 48 hours. What constitutes an outbreak is defined by the State Department of Public Health.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Chelsea Whelan at cwhelan@fmglaw.com.

Additional Information:

FMG has formed a Coronavirus Task Force to provide up-to-the-minute information, strategic advice, and practical solutions for our clients.  Our group is an interdisciplinary team of attorneys who can address the multitude of legal issues arising out of the coronavirus pandemic, including issues related to Healthcare, Product Liability, Tort Liability, Data Privacy, and Cyber and Local Governments.  For more information about the Task Force, click here.

You can also contact your FMG relationship partner or email the team with any questions at coronavirustaskforce@fmglaw.com.

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