Law and the Workplace

Category Archives: Coronavirus

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D.C. Requires Employers To Provide Paid and Unpaid COVID-19 Leave

By Guy Brenner and Caroline Guensberg on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures
Quick Hit:  Employees in the District of Columbia are currently eligible for paid and unpaid COVID-19 related leave under measures that temporarily expand the D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act (“DCFMLA”) and D.C. Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (“ASSLA”). Key Takeaway:  D.C. employers now must navigate an additional set of paid and unpaid leave … Continue Reading

Virginia COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules Now In Effect

By Guy Brenner and Lexie Reynolds on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
Quick Hit As we previously reported, Virginia became the first state to issue mandatory COVID-19 workplace safety rules when the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board (“VSHCB”) approved an emergency temporary standard on July 15, 2020.  The final text has now been released and the new rules, which apply to most private employers, went into … Continue Reading

DOL Releases Additional COVID-19 Guidance Related to FFCRA, FMLA and FLSA

By Guy Brenner, Arielle E. Kobetz, Heylee Bernstein and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus, FLSA, Leaves of Absences, Wage and Hour
As we have previously reported, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) continues to update its COVID-19 guidance. Most recently, on July 20, 2020, the DOL issued additional Q and A guidance related to COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Families First Coronavirus Response … Continue Reading

OSHA Issues Second Set of Coronavirus-Related Citations

By Harris Mufson and Lexie Reynolds on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has now issued its second set of coronavirus-related citations, this time against an Ohio health-care company.  OSHA inspected three of the company’s nursing facilities from April to June after the company reported the coronavirus-related hospitalization of seven employees.  On July 21, 2020, OSHA announced … Continue Reading

Colorado Governor Signs Paid Sick Leave Act into Law

By Harris Mufson, Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Abigail Rosenblum on Posted in Coronavirus, Leaves of Absences
Colorado State SealAmid the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (“the Act”) into law. Beginning next year (or later for small employers), the Act will require employers in Colorado to provide employees with up to six paid sick days a year – and more if there is a public health … Continue Reading

Virginia Becomes First State to Adopt Mandatory COVID-19 Workplace Safety Requirements

By Guy Brenner, Lexie Reynolds and Caroline Guensberg on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
Quick Hit Virginia became the first state to issue mandatory COVID-19 workplace safety rules when the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board (“VSHCB”) approved an emergency temporary standard on July 15, 2020 by a 9-2 vote.  The final text has not yet been published but the mandatory requirements are expected to include obligations surrounding flexible … Continue Reading

OSHA Releases Additional FAQs Regarding Returning to the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know

By Harris Mufson, Lexie Reynolds and Heylee Bernstein on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published additional frequently asked questions regarding returning to the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday. We reported on OSHA’s earlier posted FAQs here. Though the FAQs do not impose any new legal requirements, employers should be aware of OSHA’s recommendations as workplaces around the country continue to … Continue Reading

OSHA Releases Guidance on Reopening Workplaces

By Harris Mufson, Lexie Reynolds and Heylee Bernstein on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
On June 18, OSHA issued non-binding guidance to help employers safely reopen non-essential businesses and facilitate their employees’ return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance focuses on employers implementing strategies for five main aspects of the workplace: basic hygiene, social distancing, identification and isolation of sick employees, workplace controls and flexibilities, and employee … Continue Reading

Department of Labor Issues Bulletin on FFCRA Leave in Light of Summer Camp and Program Closures

By Harris Mufson, Laura Fant and Rachel Therese Gulotta on Posted in Coronavirus, Leaves of Absences
On June 26, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) issued Field Assistance Bulletin (“FAB”) No. 2020-4, providing guidance on when an employee may take leave pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) to care for their child whose summer camp, summer enrichment program, or other summer program is … Continue Reading

DC’s Paid Family Leave Benefits Available July 1, 2020: What Employers Need to Know

By Guy Brenner and Caroline Guensberg on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures
On July 1, 2020, employees in DC will be able to begin taking Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) pursuant to the DC Paid Family Leave Act (the “Act”).  Here’s a quick primer on what employers need to know ahead of the program’s launch. Eligible Leave Employees who spend more than 50% of their work time in … Continue Reading

EEOC and OSHA Issue New COVID-19 Guidance

By Harris Mufson and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Coronavirus
As the nation continues to move toward reopening, the EEOC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued additional guidance for employers to consider as they plan employees’ return to the workplace. These updates supplement earlier guidance issued by both agencies, which we discuss in our previous posts. EEOC Guidance On June 11, 2020, … Continue Reading

Top Three Takeaways from OSHA Chief’s Testimony Regarding OSHA Enforcement During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Harris Mufson, Alex Downie and Lexie Reynolds on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
OSHA logoAmid growing criticism of the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Loren E. Sweatt (“Sweatt”), testified before the House Education and Labor Committee’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee last Wednesday during which she defended the agency’s actions to protect worker safety during the pandemic. Below, we discuss the top three takeaways from … Continue Reading

UPDATE: Chicago City Council Introduces COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance, Reflecting Growing Trend

By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Coronavirus, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Safety
The proposed Chicago COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) that was the subject of our post on April 27, 2020, has now become law. The Ordinance prohibits Chicago employers from retaliating against employees for obeying a public health order requiring an employee to remain at home as a consequence of COVID-19.  This reflects a growing trend among … Continue Reading

CDC Issues Guidance Warning Against Use of Antibody Testing in Making Decisions Regarding Returning Employees to the Workplace

By Harris Mufson, Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus
CDC LogoThe CDC has issued interim guidance on antibody testing for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19. While the guidance is primarily directed at clinical and public health entities, it does contain some information relevant to employers, educational institutions, and other entities who may be considering whether and to what extent such antibody testing may play … Continue Reading

Illinois May Soon Require “Essential Employers” to Provide PPE for Workers

By Steven J. Pearlman, Edward Young, Caralyn M. Olie and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The Illinois House of Representatives recently introduced House Bill 5769, which would create the Illinois Personal Protective Equipment Responsibility Act (the “Act”).  The Act would require “essential employers” to provide personal protective equipment (“PPE”) to both employees and independent contractors.  The Act defines an “essential employer” as an employer engaged in an “essential business” as … Continue Reading

OSHA Updates Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Recordkeeping Requirements

By Harris Mufson, Arielle E. Kobetz, Caroline Guensberg and Scott Tan on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
OSHA logoOn May 19, 2020, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a memorandum updating previous guidance regarding employers’ obligation to record cases of COVID-19 in the workplace. On May 26, 2020, the previous guidance will be rescinded and OSHA’s updated guidance will go into effect, the key provisions of which are … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Announces Four Phase Plan to Reopen

By Mark W. Batten, Samantha Regenbogen Manelin and Thomas B. Fiascone on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures, Workplace Safety
On Monday May 18, 2020, Governor Baker announced the first phase of his administration’s much-anticipated plan to reopen Massachusetts (the “Plan”), nearly eight weeks after first ordering non-essential businesses to close and advising residents to stay home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In describing the phased reopening, the Governor repeatedly emphasized that the coronavirus … Continue Reading

Responding to COVID-19: Illinois Specific Considerations For Employers

By Nigel F. Telman, Steven J. Pearlman, Caralyn M. Olie, Edward Young and Holly Ren Morris on Posted in Coronavirus, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Workplace Policies and Procedures
The State of Illinois has taken strong measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Recognizing the impact of COVID-19 on the State of Illinois, on March 20, 2020, the Governor first issued Executive Order 2020-10 directing Illinois citizens to stay at home. The Governor has since issued Executive Orders 2020-32 and 2020-33 extending most of … Continue Reading

Latest Proposed Coronavirus Relief Bill Would Significantly Expand Employee Leave Benefits Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

By Harris Mufson, Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus, Leaves of Absences
Congressional SealOn May 12, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (“HEROES Act”), which, among other things, would significantly expand coverage and benefits available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). As we have discussed at length in numerous prior posts, the FFCRA provides for paid … Continue Reading

New York State Issues Guidance for Re-Opening of Businesses

By Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson, Arielle E. Kobetz and Alex Downie on Posted in Coronavirus
*** Last Updated: July 17, 2020 *** New York State has issued detailed guidance on Governor Cuomo’s “New York Forward” Plan, under which the State will re-open in four phases on a regional basis. The guidance includes additional information regarding: (1) when regions will be permitted to begin re-opening; (2) which businesses are included in … Continue Reading

New York City Department of Health Issues Standing Isolation Order for Purposes of New York State Emergency Sick Leave Law

By Harris Mufson, Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant, Arielle E. Kobetz and Alex Downie on Posted in Coronavirus, Leaves of Absences
NYC HealthThe New York City Department of Health has issued a standing Order that creates a process for those who live or work in the City to receive the documentation needed to claim leave in certain circumstances under the New York State COVID-19 Emergency Sick Leave Law. The State Emergency Sick Leave Law requires New York … Continue Reading

New York’s Governor Outlines Plan to Re-Open Businesses

By Harris Mufson, Evandro Gigante, Arielle E. Kobetz and Alex Downie on Posted in Coronavirus
***Updated May 5, 2020 to account for new information released by the Governor’s Office.*** In his daily press conference on April 26, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to re-open the state in phases on a regional basis. Under the plan, businesses will re-open on a business-by-business level within each region, with … Continue Reading

U.S. DOL Answers Questions From States About PUA Unemployment Program

By Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson, Allison Martin and Jacob P. Tucker on Posted in Coronavirus
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued an update to its Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) 16-20 to provide additional guidance on the CARES Act’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program in response to questions submitted by states. As a quick refresher, PUA expands unemployment benefit coverage to certain workers who traditionally are not eligible … Continue Reading
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