Laura Fant
Special Employment Law Counsel
As a special employment law counsel in the Labor & Employment Law Department and co-chair of the Disability, Accommodations & Leave Management Practice Group, Laura Fant frequently counsels on employee leave and accommodation matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and related state and local laws. She also provides general employment counseling and has experience reviewing and updating employee handbooks and company policies, as well as providing training on topics such as discrimination and harassment in the workplace, social media, and the accommodation of physical and mental disabilities. Laura is a frequent contributor to Proskauer’s Law and the Workplace blog.
Before joining the Firm, Laura was assistant general counsel to the City of New York's Office of Labor Relations. Prior to that, she was law clerk to Judge Jose L. Fuentes of the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, and a judicial intern to Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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On January 25, 2022, OSHA filed a notice withdrawing its Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”). The ETS had mandated that employers with 100 or more employees require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to wear face coverings and undergo weekly testing. As we previously reported here, on January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme … Continue Reading
On January 22, 2022, New York City updated its quarantine and isolation guidance to align with the CDC’s recent shortening of both (i) the recommended timeframe for isolation following a COVID-19 diagnosis for individuals regardless of vaccination status, and (ii) the recommended quarantine period following a COVID-19 exposure for vaccinated individuals. New York State has … Continue Reading
On December 27, 2021, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) updated its guidance regarding quarantine and isolation periods for the general population after testing positive for or being exposed to COVID-19. The updated guidance shortens the recommended timeframe for isolation following a COVID-19 diagnosis for individuals regardless of vaccination status. It also shortens … Continue Reading
***UPDATE: The bill was enacted into law on January 15, 2022 upon no action by the Mayor. The law takes effect on May 15, 2022.*** The New York City Council has approved a bill that would require NYC employers with four or more employees to include in job postings – including those for promotion or … Continue Reading
**UPDATE: On January 24, 2022, a Nassau County State Supreme Court struck down this COVID-19 mask or vaccination requirement statewide. Our post on this decision can be found here.** New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that, effective December 13, 2021, masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places in New … Continue Reading
***UPDATE: New York City has issued further guidance regarding implementation of the private employer vaccine mandate. Read more here.*** Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that New York City will become the first major city in the United States to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for private sector workers across industries. The mandate will take effect on … Continue Reading
The Florida Department of Legal Affairs has issued an emergency rule and other additional guidance regarding the recently enacted House Bill HB-1B, which, among other things, requires private employers who mandate COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace to recognize additional exemptions from such vaccine requirements beyond what is required under federal law. The law, which applies … Continue Reading
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law a bill that will require employers to provide notice to employees of electronic monitoring of telephone, email, and internet access and usage. The law, which takes effect on May 7, 2022, will require all private employers, regardless of size, with a place of business in New … Continue Reading
***UPDATE: On February 15, 2022, the New York State Commissioner of Health continued the designation of COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease” pursuant to the HERO Act until March 17, 2022. According to the designation, on March 17, the Commissioner “will review the level of transmission of COVID-19 in New York State and determine … Continue Reading
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law a bill that will require certain private employers in the state to automatically enroll their employees in a state-administered retirement savings plan if the employer does not offer its own qualified retirement plan. The law took effect immediately upon signing on October 21, 2021, though employers … Continue Reading
The New York State Department of Labor (“NYDOL”) has issued FAQ guidance addressing common questions regarding recreational cannabis use by employees in and outside of the workplace in light of the enactment earlier this year of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”). The MRTA legalized the use of recreational marijuana for individuals ages 21 … Continue Reading
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an Executive Order (GA-40) prohibiting the enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Texas against employees and customers of private businesses who object on certain bases, including “personal conscience.” Effective immediately, GA-40 states: “No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee … Continue Reading
Significant changes have arrived for paid medical, parental, and family care leave in Washington, D.C following the recent enactment of the Universal Paid Leave Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (“PLEAA”). Effective October 1, 2021 (with a minor exception for expanded personal medical leave, discussed below), the PLEAA amends the D.C. Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of … Continue Reading
***UPDATE: On September 30, 2021, the New York State Department of Labor released updated FAQs regarding the HERO Act. Our blog post on this development is available here.*** On September 23, 2021, New York State issued updated model airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plans for employer use pursuant to the HERO Act. As we previously … Continue Reading
***UPDATE: On September 14, 2021, a New York district court issued an order temporarily blocking New York State from enforcing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate “to the extent it categorically requires health care employers to deny or revoke religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination mandates.” The temporary restraining order is currently in effect through October 12, 2021. … Continue Reading
***UPDATE – On December 6, 2021, Mayor de Blasio announced a further expansion of the Key to NYC requirements. Read more about the expanded requirements here.*** As we previously reported, New York City is now mandating COVID-19 vaccination for workers and patrons of indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment venues and performances. Mayor Bill … Continue Reading
The New York City Commission on Human Rights (the “Commission”) has issued updated legal enforcement guidance on the NYC Fair Chance Act (“FCA”) and employers’ consideration of criminal history in hiring and during employment. The updated guidance, which does not have the force of law but which provides significant insight into the Commission’s interpretation of … Continue Reading
UPDATE: An Executive Order and additional guidance on this mandate has been released by the City of New York. More information can be found in our post here. Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that New York City will become the first major city in the United States to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for workers and … Continue Reading
New York State has released an informal guidance page, including frequently asked questions, regarding the newly enacted statewide paid sick leave law, which took effect on September 30, 2020. As we have previously reported, the law requires employers with New York employees to provide a certain amount of paid or unpaid sick leave to be … Continue Reading
With Election Day just around the corner, we are highlighting some of the issues facing employers in a series of posts on election-related issues. In our first installment, we looked at employee protections around political speech and activity both in and outside the workplace. In this second installment, we’ll examine employees’ rights to take time … Continue Reading
With Election Day just around the corner, we’ll be highlighting some of the issues facing employers in a two-part series on elections and the workplace. In this first installment, we’ll look at employee protections around political speech and activity both in and outside the workplace. In Part 2, we’ll address statutory leave entitlements for employees … Continue Reading
*** UPDATE: Mayor de Blasio signed the bill into law on September 28, and it took effect on September 30, 2020, except as otherwise set forth below. Additionally, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has announced that employers now have until January 1, 2021 to comply with the pay statement reporting requirements discussed below … Continue Reading
On September 11, 2020 the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued revised Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) regulations in response to a federal court decision striking down certain portions of its previous regulations. The FFCRA is a federal law that requires certain employers to provide: (1) two weeks of paid sick leave to employees … Continue Reading
On September 8, 2020, the EEOC released an updated technical assistance document addressing COVID-19 and the federal anti-discrimination laws enforced by the agency, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Our previous posts about the EEOC’s prior COVID-19 guidance are available here and here. The updated guidance includes 18 new questions and answers, most of … Continue Reading
OSHA Withdraws Emergency Temporary Standard Mandating Vaccination or Testing/Masking Policies for Employers with 100 or More Employees
By Guy Brenner, Laura Fant and Raymond Arroyo on Posted in Coronavirus
New York City and State Update COVID Quarantine and Isolation Guidance to Align With CDC’s Shortened Timeframes
By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Raymond Arroyo on Posted in Coronavirus
CDC Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Periods for COVID-19 Illness and Exposure
By Steven Hurd, Laura Fant and Melissa C. Felcher on Posted in Coronavirus
New York City Council Approves Bill Requiring Including Salary Ranges in Job Postings
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks
New York State Announces Proof of COVID-19 Vaccine or Masking Requirement for All Indoor Public Places
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus
New York City Announces Private Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate and Expansions to Key to NYC Program
By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Raymond Arroyo on Posted in Coronavirus
Florida Issues Emergency Rule and Additional Guidance Regarding Vaccine Mandate Exemption Law
By Evandro Gigante, Jurate Schwartz and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus
New York State Enacts Phone, Email, and Internet Monitoring Notice Law for Private Employers
By Ryan P. Blaney, Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
Designation of COVID-19 Under New York HERO Act Extended Once Again
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures, Workplace Safety
New York State to Require Certain Private Employers to Automatically Enroll Employees in State Retirement Program
By Steven Hurd and Laura Fant on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
New York Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Cannabis and the Workplace
By Steven Hurd, Alex Downie and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Texas Governor Issues Executive Order Aimed at Prohibiting Vaccine Mandates for Private Employers
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures
D.C. Paid Leave Program Amended to Expand Benefits
By Guy Brenner and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
New York State Issues Updated Model Workplace Safety Plans and FAQ Guidance Under the HERO Act
By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Alex Downie on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures, Workplace Safety
New York State Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate for Healthcare Workers
By Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson, Laura Fant, Alex Downie and Megan Childs on Posted in Coronavirus
Additional Guidance Issued on NYC COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate for Workers and Patrons of Indoor Dining, Fitness and Entertainment Venues
By Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus
NYC Commission on Human Rights Issues Updated Enforcement Guidance on Consideration of Criminal History in Hiring and Employment
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Hiring/Background Checks, Workplace Policies and Procedures
New York City to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination for Workers and Patrons of Indoor Dining, Fitness and Entertainment Venues
By Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus
New York Releases Guidance and FAQs on Statewide Paid Sick Leave Law
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Election Season and the Workplace, Part 2: Political Leave Laws
By Allan Bloom, Alex Downie and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Election Season and the Workplace, Part 1: Employee “Free Speech” and Political Activities
By Allan Bloom, Alex Downie and Laura Fant on Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures
UPDATED: NYC Council Passes Bill to Align ESSTA with New York State Paid Sick Leave Law
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences
DOL Updates FFCRA Regulations in Light of Recent SDNY Decision
By Alex Downie, Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus, Leaves of Absences
EEOC Updates Its COVID-19 Guidance (Again)
By Alex Downie, Evandro Gigante, Guy Brenner, Harris Mufson and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
