Law and the Workplace

Category Archives: Coronavirus

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(UPDATED) New York State Court Strikes Down Statewide Mask or Vaccine Requirement for Indoor Public Places

By Steven Hurd, Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Rebecca Fishbein on Posted in Coronavirus
***UPDATE: In a whiplash-inducing turn, on January 25, 2022, the New York State Appellate Division granted a stay of the Nassau County court’s decision pending determination of the State’s appeal.  As such, the mask-or-vaccine requirement remains in effect for the moment.  We will continue to monitor and report on further developments.*** On January 24, 2022, … 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
OSHA logoOn 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

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
CoronovirusOn 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

U.S. Supreme Court Stays OSHA Vaccine/Testing Mandate for Employers with 100 or More Employees

By Evandro Gigante, Mark Harris, Lexie Reynolds and Raymond Arroyo on Posted in Biden Administration Coverage, Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
UPDATE: On January 25, 2022, OSHA filed a notice withdrawing the Emergency Temporary Standard apart from the extent it serves as a proposed rule under the OSH Act.  For more details, click here. On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a per curiam opinion, stayed OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) mandating that employers … Continue Reading

DC Enacts Vaccine Mandate For Certain Indoor Establishments

By Guy Brenner and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Coronavirus
Starting January 15, 2022, DC will require the following establishments to verify that their guests, visitors and consumers ages 12 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine: Restaurants, bars and nightclub establishments (including restaurants and taverns, coffee shops and fast-food establishments that have seating if guests choose to sit down; … Continue Reading

Louisiana Supreme Court Holds The Employment-At-Will Doctrine Dictates That Private Employers May Mandate Employees Get Vaccinated

By Nicole Eichberger, Atoyia Harris and E. Sydney Cone on Posted in Coronavirus
On January 7, 2022—the same day the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments concerning the OSHA workplace vaccine mandate—the Louisiana Supreme Court (“LA Supreme Court” or the “Court”) upheld a private employer’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, relying on the well-established Louisiana employment-at-will doctrine. The LA Supreme Court found that a private employer is … Continue Reading

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
CDC LogoOn 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

New York State Department of Labor Issues Proposed Rule for HERO Act Workplace Safety Committees

By Evandro Gigante, Laura M. Fant, Alex Downie and Raymond Arroyo on Posted in Coronavirus
On December 22, 2021, the New York State Department of Labor (“NYDOL”) issued a proposed rule regarding workplace safety committees under the HERO Act. As we have previously reported, the HERO Act requires all employers in New York State to adopt a prevention plan to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne infectious … Continue Reading

More Whiplash — DC Brings Back Mask Mandate and Encourages Vaccine Mandates

By Guy Brenner and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Coronavirus
Effective December 21, 2021, through at least January 31, 2022, DC law requires that all individuals wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. As we previously reported, just last month DC Mayor Muriel Bowser significantly scaled back the District’s indoor mask mandate, which had required masks in all indoor public places since … Continue Reading

Sixth Circuit Panel Dissolves Stay of OSHA Vaccine/Testing Mandate

By Evandro Gigante, Guy Brenner, Laura M. Fant, Lexie Reynolds and Raymond Arroyo on Posted in Biden Administration Coverage, Coronavirus, Workplace Safety
UPDATE: On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court granted applications to stay OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard pending review on the merits by the Sixth Circuit, and if writs of certiorari are subsequently sought to the U.S. Supreme Court, pending the Court’s disposition of such writs.  Click here to read more about the Court’s decision.  On … Continue Reading

New York City Issues Guidance on Private Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

By Evandro Gigante, Steven Hurd, Laura M. Fant, Alex Downie and Caroline Libby on Posted in Coronavirus
On December 15, 2021, New York City released guidance on the private employer vaccine mandate set to take effect on Monday, December 27. As we previously reported, the mandate will require workers in New York City who perform in-person work or interact with the public to show proof they have received at least one dose … Continue Reading

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
**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

Federal Judge Blocks Contractor Vaccine Mandate Nationwide

By Guy Brenner and Jacob P. Tucker on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures
UPDATE (01/04): On December 22, a Federal judge in Florida became the latest judge to issue a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of the federal contractor and subcontractor vaccine mandate requirements.  The decision in State of Florida v. Nelson, et al. blocks enforcement only in Florida, but Judge R. Stan Baker’s order (discussed below) in State … Continue Reading

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
***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

Florida Issues Emergency Rule and Additional Guidance Regarding Vaccine Mandate Exemption Law

By Evandro Gigante, Jurate Schwartz and Laura Fant on Posted in Coronavirus
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

DC Enacts (Another) COVID-19 Emergency Leave Law

By Guy Brenner and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Coronavirus
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law the COVID Vaccination Leave Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (“Emergency Act”), which requires employers to provide paid leave to employees and their children for time spent obtaining and, if needed, recovering from side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine, and unpaid leave for other COVID-19 related absences.  The Emergency … Continue Reading

Contractor Vaccine Mandate Blocked In 3 States By Federal Judge

By Guy Brenner and Jacob P. Tucker on Posted in Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures
On November 30, 2021, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of the federal contractor and subcontractor vaccine mandate requirements issued by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force in response to President Biden’s Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.  The mandate requires covered contractor employees to be fully … Continue Reading

DC Announces End to Indoor Mask Mandate

By Guy Brenner and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Coronavirus
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that on November 22, 2021, the District’s indoor mask mandate – one of, if not the most restrictive mask mandate – will be significantly scaled back. The current mandate, which went into effect on July 31, 2021, requires masks in all indoor public places for all individuals over age two, … Continue Reading

[Podcast]: A COVID-19 Employment Law Update

By Evandro Gigante and Steven Hurd on Posted in Coronavirus, The Proskauer Brief Podcast
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, partners Evandro Gigante and Steve Hurd discuss key developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including employer vaccination policies, the forthcoming OSHA emergency temporary standard and the New York State HERO Act. So be sure to tune in as we explore the latest trends we are seeing in terms of employer-imposed vaccine mandates.  … Continue Reading

OSHA Releases Emergency Temporary Standard Requiring Mandatory Vaccination or Weekly Testing for Employers with 100 or More Employees

By Evandro Gigante, Guy Brenner, Steven Hurd, Laura M. Fant and Lexie Reynolds on Posted in Biden Administration Coverage, Coronavirus, Workplace Policies and Procedures, Workplace Safety
UPDATE: On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court granted applications to stay OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard pending review on the merits by the Sixth Circuit, and if writs of certiorari are subsequently sought to the U.S. Supreme Court, pending the Court’s disposition of such writs.  Click here to read more about the Court’s decision.  On … Continue Reading

New Federal Vaccine Rule:  Wage and Hour Implications

By Allan Bloom on Posted in Biden Administration Coverage, Coronavirus, FLSA, Wage and Hour, Workplace Policies and Procedures, Workplace Safety
UPDATE: On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court granted applications to stay OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard pending review on the merits by the Sixth Circuit, and if writs of certiorari are subsequently sought to the U.S. Supreme Court, pending the Court’s disposition of such writs.  Click here to read more about the Court’s decision.  On … Continue Reading

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
***UPDATE: On January 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 February 15, 2022. According to the designation, on February 15, the Commissioner “will review the level of transmission of COVID-19 in New York State and determine … Continue Reading

EEOC Issues Additional Guidance on Religious Objections to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

By Evandro Gigante and Alex Downie on Posted in Coronavirus
On October 25, the EEOC issued updated and expanded guidance regarding the obligations of employers under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”) when an employee presents with a religious objection to a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The guidance builds upon prior EEOC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in the employment context. … Continue Reading
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