On January 13, 2022, a divided Supreme Court of the United States blocked enforcement of the “emergency temporary standard” issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). The emergency temporary...more
1/17/2022
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Mandates ,
Lack of Authority ,
Masks ,
National Federation of Independent Business v Department of Labor and OSHA ,
OSHA ,
SCOTUS ,
Stays ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
As summarized in Goodwin’s previous client alert, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) published an “emergency temporary standard” that, among other things, mandates that employers with 100 or more U.S....more
11/10/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Covered Employer ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employment Policies ,
Masks ,
OSHA ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Stays ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
On November 5, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) will publish an “emergency temporary standard” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to mandate employees be fully vaccinated or undergo...more
11/5/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Covered Employer ,
Employer Mandates ,
Masks ,
OSHA ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Religious Accommodation ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
Many employers that require COVID-19 vaccinations of employees have been receiving requests for exceptions from the vaccine requirement as an accommodation based on religion. On October 25, 2021, the Equal Opportunity...more
10/27/2021
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employment Discrimination ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Guidance Update ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Religious Accommodation ,
Religious Beliefs ,
Religious Exemption ,
Title VII ,
Undue Hardship ,
Vaccinations
On May 17, 2021, Massachusetts Gov. Charles Baker announced that effective May 29, 2021 the Commonwealth will lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions on businesses. In addition, effective May 29, 2021 the Commonwealth will...more
5/26/2021
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Governor Baker ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Masks ,
OSHA ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Social Distancing ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA” or the “Act”), the latest COVID-19 relief bill, into law. Under ARPA, employers will generally be obligated to advance the cost of...more
4/26/2021
/ American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ,
Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
COBRA ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Eligibility ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employer Group Health Plans ,
Health Insurance ,
Notice Requirements ,
Premium Subsidies ,
Relief Measures ,
Tax Credits
On March 18, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (the “Act”) and President Trump signed the Act into law the same day. The Act is significantly less onerous on employers than an earlier...more
3/20/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Legislation ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Sick Leave Act ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Public Health ,
Sick Leave ,
Tax Credits ,
Trump Administration ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety
On March 14, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill entitled the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (the “Bill”). The Bill contains a number of provisions relating to the public’s health and welfare,...more
3/17/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Medical Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Pending Legislation ,
Public Health ,
Sick Leave ,
Tax Credits ,
Unemployment Benefits ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety