On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) repealed its previous guidance advising a 5-day isolation period for individuals testing positive for COVID-19 and issued consolidated guidance on “Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick.” The new guidance provides unified recommendations for isolation and other precautions for individuals
coronavirus
COVID Screening Time Not Compensable, Says Illinois District Court
In an opinion issued on December 7, 2023, a federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois held that time spent in COVID screening activities was not compensable under federal or Illinois law.
In the underlying collective and class action, Johnson v. Amazon.com Services, LLC, the plaintiffs—warehouse employees whose job duties included moving…
Texas Bans COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Employees and Contractors
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law SB 7, which bans private employers of any size from imposing or enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates as a condition of employment. The law will take effect on February 6, 2024.
Specifically, under the law, a covered employer will not be permitted to:
- adopt or enforce a
…
Federal District Court Says Pre-Shift COVID Screening Time Not Compensable
In the first reported decision we’ve seen addressing the issue head on, a federal district court in California dismissed a putative collective action claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) seeking payment for time spent in pre-shift COVID screening.
Prior to clocking in each day, the plaintiff—a non-exempt truck driver whose job duties included…
New York State Department of Labor Issues Proposed Rule for HERO Act Workplace Safety Committees
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…
New York City Issues Guidance on Private Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
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…