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Tag: COVID-19 for Employers

Newsroom image for the post Employers: How to Avoid ADA Litigation in the COVID-19 Era

Posted May 7, 2020 with Tags ,

Employers: How to Avoid ADA Litigation in the COVID-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic and related "stay-at-home" orders have required changes to employers' everyday practices, impacting nearly all aspects of operations. Employers have worked hard to meet the demand for rapid flexibility in the interest of continuing operations and keeping their workforce safe and intact. For good reason, many of these policies (such as temporary remote work policies) may have been implemented outside of the traditional planning processes that employers use when rolling out new policies.

Posted April 23, 2020 with Tags ,

Returning to Work: Minnesota allows more businesses to resume in-person operations starting April 27

On April 23, Governor Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-40, which expands the number of businesses permitted to operate in-person during Minnesota’s “stay-at-home” order. Under the Order, individuals working in certain types of businesses are permitted to return to work starting next week, Monday, April 27, provided other conditions are met.

Newsroom image for the post Managing Off-the-Clock Time During the Pandemic

Posted April 23, 2020 with Tags , ,

Managing Off-the-Clock Time During the Pandemic

Ensuring that hourly employees accurately record their work time—and that employees are paid for all work time—can be a challenge even under the best of circumstances. But it’s crucial to avoid or defend costly class litigation or audits from the Department of Labor. These “off the clock” issues may be exacerbated for employers who now have hourly employees working remotely during the pandemic. Remote work means employers have less oversight and ability to enforce timekeeping rules. This is made even more complicated because employees may be working—and responding to work requests—during odd hours as they navigate other home obligations.

Newsroom image for the post Employers: Watch Out for ERISA Lawsuits During Pandemic

Posted April 20, 2020 with Tags ,

Employers: Watch Out for ERISA Lawsuits During Pandemic

ERISA lawsuits typically grow in numbers whenever there is an economic downturn. Though COVID-19’s financial impact is still unfolding, employer-sponsored employee-stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and the employers themselves are likely to once again face a heightened risk of litigation. In particular, we anticipate a rise in so-called “stock-drop” lawsuits involving ESOPs.

Newsroom image for the post EEOC Issues Updated ADA Guidance Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted April 12, 2020 with Tags , , ,

EEOC Issues Updated ADA Guidance Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

On April 9, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance to help employers manage workplace issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic without running afoul of federal non-discrimination laws. The EEOC’s updated guidance focuses primarily on employers’ obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We discuss the highlights.

Newsroom image for the post CDC Issues New Guidance on Safety Measures for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Potential Exposure to COVID-19

Posted April 10, 2020 with Tags , ,

CDC Issues New Guidance on Safety Measures for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Potential Exposure to COVID-19

On April 8, 2020, the CDC issued new guidance advising critical infrastructure workers (essential workers needed to maintain the services and functions that communities depend on daily) to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and certain precautions are implemented to protect them and the community.

Posted April 9, 2020 with Tags , ,

How Employers Can Take Advantage of Tax Credits under the New FFCRA Legislation

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) creates, for the first time, a federal requirement to issue paid sick leave and paid FMLA benefits for most private employers with fewer than 500 employees. To help offset the cost, the legislation permits employers to claim tax credits on qualifying paid leave wages, certain health plan expenses, and the employer's share of Medicare taxes.

Newsroom image for the post Amidst Increased Video Interviews, Employers Must Keep Law in Mind

Posted April 7, 2020 with Tags , , ,

Amidst Increased Video Interviews, Employers Must Keep Law in Mind

Since shelter-in-place and self-isolation orders have become the norm around the country, more employers are utilizing video interview tools in lieu of interviewing candidates in person. These tools allow HR and hiring teams to continue to assess talent with little interruption. But Nilan Johnson Lewis labor and employment attorney Mark Girouard urges companies to keep certain legal requirements in mind before turning on the cameras.

Newsroom image for the post DOL Issues Temporary Rule Interpreting Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Posted April 3, 2020 with Tags ,

DOL Issues Temporary Rule Interpreting Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On April 1, 2020, the Department of Labor issued a temporary rule interpreting the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (“EPSLA”) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (“EFMLEA”) found in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The unpublished rule includes over 80 pages of discussion followed by specific guidance on key aspects of the FFCRA’s paid leave requirements, including the scope of exemptions for small employers, calculations of leave benefits for part-time employees, and notice and certification requirements. For the most part, the regulations mirror the FAQs recently released by the DOL.

Newsroom image for the post New York Employers: New COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law Explained

Posted March 20, 2020 with Tags , , ,

New York Employers: New COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law Explained

On March 18, 2020, the New York State Assembly passed and Governor Cuomo signed into law a response to the novel coronavirus that provides certain employees sick leave and job protection in the event they are subject to quarantine or isolation due to an order by a public health official. The new law also expands protections to certain employees under the New York Paid Family Leave and the New York disability benefits law to provide some measure of salary continuation during a quarantine or isolation order period.

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