There is no federal workplace violence prevention standard, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations do not expressly address workplace violence. Yet, when a convenience store employee was shot during a...more
When the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) decides to conduct an inspection of a workplace, the “walkaround rule” regulation currently permits employees to designate a representative to accompany the...more
Employers with more than 100 employees are watching legal challenges around the country to see if OSHA’s federal regulations putting in place a COVID-19 vaccination mandate will be upheld in whole or in part. In the meantime,...more
Yesterday, following OSHA’s release of federal regulations implementing a workplace COVID-19 vaccination mandate, we reported that, effective January 4, 2022, employers with 100 or more employees would be required to...more
This morning the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its interim final rule regarding the Biden administration’s vaccination mandate for employers with 100 or more employees. The rule will be...more
With the CDC’s recent announcement reducing mask requirements for fully vaccinated people, there has been a significant uptick in the number of employers who are calling us with questions about possible changes to their own...more
Against the backdrop of a new administration, an evolving workforce, and a changing economy brought about by the pandemic, the landscape for union organizing has radically changed in 2021. While the nation’s attention is...more
Against the backdrop of a new administration, an evolving workforce, and a changing economy brought about by the pandemic, the landscape for union organizing has radically changed in 2021. While the nation’s attention is...more
Recent days have brought encouraging news about the development of COVID-19 vaccines. The prospect of vaccines being available in early 2021 has caused employers to begin considering whether they will require employees to...more
11/20/2020
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Religious Discrimination ,
Title VII ,
Undue Hardship ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
With COVID-19 positive cases and area hospitalizations continuing to trend upwards, more and more Oklahoma cities and towns are considering whether to make face coverings mandatory in public settings.
Last night, Tulsa’s...more
7/16/2020
/ City Councils ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Educational Institutions ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Local Ordinance ,
Masks ,
Public Accommodation ,
Public Health ,
Public Policy ,
Social Distancing ,
Workplace Safety
Concerns that clients, customers or business associates could sue them over claims they were exposed to COVID-19 have made some businesses reluctant to reopen. We have already seen lawsuits filed against retail stores and...more
5/29/2020
/ Civil Liability ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Legislation ,
Operators of Essential Services ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Workplace Safety
As the COVID-19 Coronavirus problem grows, employers will face increasing challenges on a variety of workplace issues. Health experts anticipate travel restrictions, business closings, suspension of schools, and widespread...more
3/4/2020
/ Best Practices ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Public Health ,
Risk Management ,
Sick Leave ,
Traveling Employee ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety
Whether used for air travel, at sporting events, or during workouts at gyms, the popularity of headphones and earbuds has rapidly spread. But are they appropriate for the workplace? Prompted by an employer’s questions, the...more
In May 2018, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a memorandum permitting the use of drones to inspect workplaces under certain circumstances. Since that time, OSHA has used unmanned aircraft systems (UASs...more
With Oklahoma’s new medical marijuana laws, employers will be facing more workplace questions involving marijuana. A recent Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals decision awarding workers’ compensation benefits to an injured...more
When Oklahoma’s new medical marijuana law goes into effect this Friday, August 30, employers will have more ways to maintain a safe workplace.
Under the current law, employers have been able to discharge any employee who...more
8/28/2019
/ Adverse Employment Action ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Drug Testing ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Marijuana ,
Medical Marijuana ,
New Legislation ,
State Labor Laws ,
Workplace Safety
For years, employers assumed they were entitled to drug-test employees after they were injured or were involved in a workplace accident … then things became more uncertain....more
For years, employers assumed they were entitled to drug-test employees after they were injured or were involved in a workplace accident … then things became more uncertain.
Originally published in The Journal Record |...more
Understanding and complying with OSHA’s many requirements can be daunting. At a recent Tulsa Area Employer Council meeting, Jason Hudson with the Oklahoma Department of Labor explained an excellent tool available for Oklahoma...more
In 2014, the government’s employment agencies were aggressive and active in terms of investigations and lawsuits. Employers should expect this to continue in the new year and pay particular attention to the...more