Avian Influenza (H5N1) News
February 25, 2025November 15, 2024: Avian Influenza Webinar from FELS & Cal/OSHA Consultation Protecting Agricultural Employees from H5N1 November 15, 2024: H5N1 Resources from…
Read MoreDeportation Efforts Generate Concern in Rural California
February 8, 2025Border Patrol apprehension activities in January aimed at aliens with pending deportation orders have generated significant social and legacy media attention and concerns…
Read MoreReported Immigration Enforcement Activity in So. California
January 28, 2025UPDATE: FELS has received unconfirmed reports of ICE activity in other counties. FELS will update this post if more information becomes available. FELS has received reports…
Read MoreCal/OSHA News Release: Cal/OSHA Increase Civil Money Penalty Amounts for 2025
January 28, 2025The increases adjust for inflation and ensure Cal/OSHA is consistent with California and federal law. Oakland—On January 1, 2025, the Department of Industrial Relations’…
Read MoreCalPoly SLO Finds 64% Hike in Regulatory Costs for Lettuce Farmers
January 24, 2025Lynn Hamilton, Ph.D. and Michael McCollough, Ph.D. of CalPoly San Luis Obispo found in a study released on January 23 that producers’ regulatory compliance costs have risen…
Read MorePost Cal/OSHA Injury & Illness Summary in February
January 17, 2025Employers required to maintain logs of workplace injuries and illnesses (i.e., employers of more than 10 employees at any time during the prior calendar year) are required…
Read MoreDHS Publishes Final H-2A Rule
December 18, 2024On December 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized H-2A program rules first published as a proposed rule in September 2023. DHS jointly administers…
Read MoreCA Department of Industrial Relations Releases FAQ on New Paid Sick Leave Entitlements
December 17, 2024Under California’s existing Paid Sick Leave law, eligible employees may use paidsick leave under certain circumstances involving domestic violence, sexual assault andstalking.…
Read More2025 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Effective 12/16
December 17, 2024The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) published Adverse Effective Wage Rates for employers using the H-2A temporary agricultural employee visa program on December…
Read MoreKey Assistance Opportunity: USDA Opens Up Brief Application Window for $2 Billion to Specialty Crop Aid
December 16, 2024The US Department of Agriculture has announced up to $2 billion in funds in support for the specialty crop industry. The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program…
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