The United States Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) today that will be published on November 5, 2021. The ETS will take effect immediately upon publication. It will remain effective until OSHA promulgates a permanent standard, which must occur within six months of the ETS’s publication in the Federal … [Read more...] about OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standards for Mandatory Employee COVID Vaccinations
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Federal Judge Rules That Employer Can Require Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations
A federal judge in the Southern District of Texas recently upheld an employer’s requirement that its employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be terminated from employment. In Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital, Jennifer Bridges and 116 other employees of Houston Methodist argued that the Hospital was unlawfully forcing its employees to be injected or be fired. The employees first argued … [Read more...] about Federal Judge Rules That Employer Can Require Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations
HR Law Update: Developing Case Law Regarding Employees’ Rights During COVID-19
Many employers throughout the country have been looking for guidance on implementation of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency FMLA provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), including developing case law. On August 3, 2020, a notable decision was entered in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. While this decision doesn’t … [Read more...] about HR Law Update: Developing Case Law Regarding Employees’ Rights During COVID-19
HR Law Update: Three FAQ’s for Managing Temperature Screenings in the COVID-19 Era
As employers plan to reenter the workplace, the value of protective options must be weighed against the cost of disruption. One protective option is temperature screening. Here are 3 frequently asked questions and answers to support you, as a business leader, in developing and implementing temperature screening protocols. Question #1: Is temperature screening legally required? Answer: Generally … [Read more...] about HR Law Update: Three FAQ’s for Managing Temperature Screenings in the COVID-19 Era
HR Law Update: How To Recall Employees In a Time of Unemployment Premium Pay
As most employers are already aware, laid off or furloughed employees are eligible for an additional $600 per week in federal unemployment compensation, in addition to state unemployment compensation funding. With state funding covering about 50% of employees’ salary, the additional $600 may leave many employees making more being unemployed than they were making as active members of the … [Read more...] about HR Law Update: How To Recall Employees In a Time of Unemployment Premium Pay
Department of Labor Releases Procedures for the Small Business Exemption to COVID-19 Legal Requirements
On April 1, 2020, the Department of Labor released regulations to clarify the leave entitlements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Please see our prior blog for answers to common questions. Under the FFCRA, small businesses, or organizations with fewer than 50 employees, may qualify for an exemption to the FFCRA’s leave entitlements. Depending on the circumstances, a small … [Read more...] about Department of Labor Releases Procedures for the Small Business Exemption to COVID-19 Legal Requirements
