1. Department of Industrial Relations

Index of DIR COVID-19 Information

2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Expires on September 30, 2021

From January 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021, California requires employers with 26 or more employees to provide their workers up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) for COVID-19 related reasons. Employers must provide this paid time off for employees who need to stay home due to COVID-19 illness or exposure, caring for a family member, a COVID-19 test or vaccine, recovering from side effects, and more. Employees taking 2021 SPSL as of September 30, 2021 may continue to take the leave they are currently on even if the entitlement extends past September 30, 2021. Additional information on the 2021 SPSL is posted on the Labor Commissioner’s webpage.

The COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards are still in effect. The workplace standards were updated on June 17, 2021 to include requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated workers. In addition to these requirements, employers must follow public health orders on COVID-19. Local public health orders may require the use of face coverings by all individuals indoors regardless of vaccination status. Cal/OSHA also encourages employers to follow the California Department of Public Health's guidance recommending all individuals wear face coverings while indoors. More information on the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards is available in Cal/OSHA's Frequently Asked Questions.

Use of Face Covering While Visiting DIR Offices

The Department of Industrial Relations requires that all visitors use face coverings in its public offices, regardless of their vaccination status. The face covering requirement follows recommendations from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that direct all persons to wear face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status. In addition, many local public orders in counties and cities across the state require mask usage indoors.

All persons must wear a face covering consistent with CDPH Guidance, unless exempted from use. A face covering includes a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers that covers the nose and mouth. A face covering does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck collar, single layer of fabric or any mask that has an unfiltered one-way exhaust valve.

In California, employers are required to take steps to protect their workers from COVID-19. DIR has developed these resources to provide employers and workers information on workplace safety requirements, paid sick leave, workers' compensation and other labor laws.

Guidance on Cal/OSHA temporary emergency standards on COVID-19:

Visit DIR’s COVID-19 Guidance and Resources
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Protect Workers from Coronavirus

Cal/OSHA guidance for workers and employers on COVID-19 infection prevention

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COVID-19 Labor Laws:  FAQs

Information on paid sick leave and other labor laws

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Resources for Injured Workers

Workers' compensation resources for work-related injuries and illnesses

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Frequently Asked Questions

September 2021