Posted January 13, 2022 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate by a vote of 5 in favor and 4 dissenting. The Supreme Court held that CMS did have statutory authority to issue its Interim …
Posted January 13, 2022 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
UPDATE: In an order issued Jan. 13, 2022, the United States Supreme Court stayed enforcement of federal OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS pending the disposition of the petitions for review in the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. …
Posted January 7, 2022 with Tags Labor and Employment, COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
On January 7, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether two sets of vaccine and testing mandates should go into effect: (1) the OSHA ETS, applying to private employers with 100 or more employees; and (2) the …
Posted December 1, 2021 with Tags Labor and Employment, Employment law, COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
Originally published 11/08/21. Updated 12/01/21. As expected, the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) faced immediate legal challenge, and on Saturday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay blocking the law from going into effect. Below, we outline the …
Posted September 10, 2021 with Tags Labor and Employment, Employment law, COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
On September 9th, President Biden signed two Executive Orders; one requiring COVID vaccines for federal employees and another ensuring adequate COVID safety protocols for federal contractors. The administration also announced plans to develop rules impacting private employers with more than …
Posted July 27, 2021 with Tags Labor and Employment, COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
The CDC released new guidance on masking and other issues for fully-vaccinated individuals. As a result, we recommend employers update their return-to-work policies, including the Minnesota Preparedness Plan or equivalent safety plan, to address the new guidance.
Posted June 15, 2021 with Tags COVID-19, OSHA
On June 10, 2021, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) to ensure uniform protection for employees within the healthcare industry from exposure to COVID-19. The ETS is effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. Employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days, and with provisions involving physical barriers, ventilation, and training within 30 days.
Posted March 26, 2021 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
California recently passed new legislation that will require employers to provide their California employees with up to 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave for various COVID-19-related reasons. Sound familiar? There are some similarities between the new law and the 2020 COVID-19 supplemental paid sick law, but the differences are significant for many employers. We’ve put together key takeaways for you to consider before the law becomes effective on Monday, March 29, 2021.
Posted February 26, 2021 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
Minneapolis employers in the hospitality industry will likely soon have to contend with a new set of worker protection laws. The Minneapolis City Council is currently considering a citywide Hospitality Worker Right to Recall Ordinance, which would require employers to rehire workers previously terminated due to the Coronavirus pandemic. If adopted, the Ordinance will go into effect on May 1, 2021. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Legislature is considering a similar right to recall law, which would apply statewide to a larger group of employers.
Posted January 19, 2021 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
Many employers are seeking ways to encourage their employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19. For those wishing to stop short of making it mandatory, incentivizing voluntary vaccination is an option, but one that comes with its own set of potential legal pitfalls employers should be aware of.
Posted August 4, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers, FFCRA
Furloughed employees may be entitled to paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) even if their workplace is shuttered due to the pandemic.
Posted August 3, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
While the ordinance does not directly affect the increasingly complicated and ever-changing analysis of when an individual is properly utilized as an independent contractor (as opposed to being treated like an employee), Minneapolis businesses should be cautious when preparing the written agreement required under the ordinance.
Posted July 31, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, Youth Sports, LLCs
Youth sports organizations are often run by people who are volunteers. Sometimes one volunteer within the group opens a bank account in the name of the sports organization, so fees can be deposited and expenses paid. Many times, a member of the group will suggest that the organization should formalize itself and set up a 501(c)(3) or an LLC to run the programs. What do these terms mean and when would it benefit a youth sports organization to formally organize as a 501(c)(3) or an LLC? Heidi Christianson explains.
Posted July 29, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
More than four months after Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency in Minnesota, many employers are eager to return to normal (to the extent possible). But two recent developments in Minnesota that have further pushed back the timeline for returning to “business as usual.”
Posted June 9, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers, COVID-19 Products
Business owners are facing decisions most never anticipated. Legal directives are not the only factor holding back the economy. Everyone is eager to see workplaces return to normal operations. At the same time, no business wants to put its workers and customers in danger.
Posted June 5, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 Products, COVID-19 Litigation
Retail businesses and restaurants have been devastated by stay-at-home orders intended to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. As restrictions begin to loosen, businesses have more freedom to open their doors, but in doing so, face the risk of lawsuits brought by employees or customers who allege that they were exposed to COVID-19.
Posted May 15, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers, Executive Order
This week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-54 (“EO 20-54”), addressing the need for employers to protect all workers, regardless of immigration status, from unsafe work conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted May 13, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 for Employers
After sheltering-in-place, remote working, and business closures, employers across the country have started planning to bring employees back to work. The first item of business is how to ensure the workplace is safe for employees and the general public. For this, many employers are turning to employee health checks.
Posted May 13, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, California Law, COVID-19 for Employers
Home-bound employees must use their home internet to perform work, but is it reimbursable?
Posted May 12, 2020 with Tags COVID-19, COVID-19 Products
With the unprecedented steps being taken to slow down the spread of COVID-19, it is important that those companies whose products effectively kill or contain the spread of Coronavirus be able to market their products’ efficacy to consumers. It is equally important that unscrupulous companies not be allowed to capitalize on the current crisis by misleading desperate consumers into believing that their products are more effective at killing or containing the spread of the Coronavirus than they actually are.
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