October 5, 2020

LWDA Weekly Roundup:

Each week the Labor & Workforce Development Agency and its departments engage with the public, stakeholders, and reporters on social, digital, and traditional media. Here are the highlights from last week.

News:

Cal/OSHA Issues Citations to Grocery Stores for COVID-19 Violations

Cal/OSHA has cited five grocery stores in Southern California for failing to protect their employees from COVID-19. The retailers were cited for various health and safety violations including some classified as serious, with proposed penalties ranging from $13,500 to $25,560.

“Grocery retail workers are on the front lines and face a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Doug Parker. “Employers in this industry must investigate possible causes of employee illness and put in place the necessary measures to protect their staff.” Read more here.

Employment Training Panel Approves $9 million to Train 7,300 Employees

The State of California’s Employment Training Panel announced that it approved 29 contracts worth nearly $9 million in job training funds for 7,300 workers. As wildfires rage across California, the Panel awarded Mountain G Enterprises Inc. $248,630 to hire and train 218 workers to aid to the remediation effort. Read more here.

Complete The Census Today!

Taking just a few minutes to answer the 9 simple questions helps determine dollars that fund important programs for the next 10 years. Complete the Census here.

Social Media Posts of the Week:

Congress Has a Transformative Opportunity to Invigorate Our Nation’s Workforce Development System

"Congress has a transformative opportunity to invigorate our nation’s workforce development system....equitably revitalizing the American Dream to forge a high road pathway to prosperity for all." -Dr. @AngeloFarooq, CWDB Board Chair View here.

New Podcasts and Videos:

COVID-19 Worker Safety Message from the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency

Guía de Cal/OSHA Sobre Prevención de Infección de COVID-19 Para Trabajadores Agrícolas

On the Record:

Unemployment Processing and Payments Continue During Two Week Reset Period
October 1, 2020

As the California Employment Development Department nears the end of a two week reset period on October 5, the agency reported a total of $93.8 billion in unemployment benefits have been paid to workers since March between the regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) and extension programs and the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Read more here.

Workplace Health, Safety, and Rights:

COVID-19 Information for Agricultural Workers

If you are a farmworker in California, here is what you need to know to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at home and in the fields. Read more here.

Información de COVID-19 Para Trabajadores Agrícolas

Si usted es un trabajador agrícola en California, esto es lo que necesita saber para ayudar a prevenir la propagación del COVID-19 en el hogar y en el campo. L eer más aquí.

COVID-19 Employer Handbook Available Now

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Benefits Available for Those Impacted By Wildfires (August 28, 2020)

ICYMI:

DWC Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (DMEPOS) (October 2, 2020)

DWC Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Physician Services / Non-Physician Practitioner Services) (October 2, 2020)

Judge Dismisses $18 Million in Liens Claimed by Medical Provider Convicted of Fraud and Suspended by DWC (October 1, 2020)

DWC Posts Updated MTUS Drug List Effective November 1, 2020 (October 1, 2020)

DWC Posts Proposed Amendments to the Copy Service Fee Schedule to Online Forum for Public Comment (September 28, 2020)

The Labor & Workforce Development Agency provides leadership to protect and improve the well-being of California’s current and future workforce.