It has been almost exactly four years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the American working landscape. Many of us followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through multiple changes and guidance,...more
Monkeypox (MPV) is the latest virus to catch wide attention. But it is important for employers to keep in mind that MPV is not COVID-19. Nevertheless, there are steps employers can take....more
In its latest guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone — including individuals fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccines — wear masks in indoor public settings...more
Although Ohio has not yet attained its goal of reducing COVID-19 cases to 50 cases per 100,000 people over a two-week period, the Director of the Ohio Department of Health has rescinded many of the prior orders designed to...more
One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. courts are wrestling with a growing number of new legal theories related to COVID-19. Not surprisingly, California – the most populous state with some of the most employee friendly...more
3/5/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Dismissals ,
Diversity Jurisdiction ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Immunity ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Negligence ,
Occupational Exposure ,
Workers' Compensation Claim ,
Workplace Safety
On January 29, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace.” The Guidance incorporates much of...more
2/4/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Masks ,
New Guidance ,
OSHA ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Return-to-Work Agreements ,
Risk Assessment ,
Sanitation ,
Sick Employees ,
Social Distancing ,
Workplace Safety
By now, employers likely have heard the news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reduced the length of time that individuals should quarantine after an exposure to COVID-19. The old adage “Don’t...more
12/8/2020
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Guidance ,
Public Health ,
Quarantine ,
Sick Employees ,
Social Distancing ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
As we enter flu season (in the midst of a national spike in COVID-19 cases), and it now appears that a COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon, employers are struggling with whether they should require employees to be vaccinated...more
11/13/2020
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employment Litigation ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Flu Shot Rule ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OSHA ,
Unions ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
The election won’t cure COVID-19. But it may impact how employers handle and respond to the realities of the new workplace. As businesses around the world reopen and reset, employers face a complicated and unprecedented...more
11/3/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Policies ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Labor Regulations ,
Masks ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Remote Working ,
Return-to-Work Agreements ,
Sick Employees ,
Sick Leave ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Just when you thought you had your contact tracing protocol down for dealing with COVID-19 exposures, CDC guidance has changed again.
The CDC has now expanded the definition of close contact to be “Someone who was within...more
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine released a new “Stay Safe Ohio” Order that outlines the first phase in the state’s “Responsible Restart Ohio” plan to fully reopen the state.
The Order allows more businesses to lawfully operate....more
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is urging a gradual, phased re-opening of the economy — not just on a statewide basis, but on an individual business basis, too. Kentucky has adopted a phased reopening plan called Healthy at...more
The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging retailers in ways unique to the business. Not only do they have to ensure the health and safety of both customers and workers with effective strategies, they are struggling with managing...more
When can employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 return to work? Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that “critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work...more
The EEOC published a recorded webinar on March 27. The EEOC uses a Q and A format to address 22 common questions from employers covering a broad range of topics including among other things, taking employees temperatures,...more
The Families First Coronavirus Act (H.R. 6201) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in the early hours of March 14, 2020. The bipartisan legislation would extend employee sick leave benefits, expand access to free...more
News of an outbreak of a new coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China raises issues for employers and employees about the appropriate workplace responses.
Reported cases are expanding quickly to other...more