By: Emily Green and Colin Durham Leading up to the 2020 general election, thirty-four states (34) had legalized marijuana for medical use and an additional ten (10) states had legalized the drug for recreational use. While the federal government has chosen not to enforce federal law in states that have legalized the drug, marijuana remains […]
Navigating Marijuana Use In The Workplace
The Southern District of New York Strikes Again: The Thorn in the Department of Labor’s Side
In the last two months, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has ruled against the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) twice, most recently on September 8, 2020. In both cases, the court sided with states challenging rules issued by the DOL to provide guidance on the implementation of the […]
DOL Issues Blog Post Further Explaining FFCRA Eligibility
On May 11, 2020, the Department of Labor issued a short blog on leave eligibility under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The FFCRA applies to employers that have less than 500 employees. The blog linked here is easy to follow and very straightforward in laying out kinds of leave and associated pay to […]
Returning to Work in the Shadow of COVID-19: Resources and Suggested Approaches for Employers
This white paper written by Richard Hathaway, Andrea Johnson, Darren Harrington, and Douglas Bracken examines the brief history of COVID-19 and the resulting business closures. It also examines current efforts to reopen businesses and identify several sources of guidance for employers looking to safely reopen. The white paper further examines some of the special considerations […]
OSHA Memo Permitting Discretion in Enforcement Based on Employer’s Good Faith Efforts During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
OSHA’s April 16, 2020 guidance memo from OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement provides OSHA area offices with unusual discretion in citing employers who otherwise exercised “good-faith” in attempting to comply with OSHA’s various standards but failed due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The discretion provided to OSHA’s area offices by this guidance will only […]
Summary: Executive Order on Delegating Authority Under the DPA with Respect to Food Supply Chain Resources During the National Emergency Caused by the Outbreak of COVID-19
An executive order (“Order”) was signed by President Trump on April 28, 2020 addressing the recent closures of many meat and poultry processing plants. Based on initial reports, the President appears to have issued the Order in response to concerns raised by Tyson Foods regarding potential liability to its workers from COVID exposure. As discussed below, […]
Webinar: Getting Back to Work: What Employers Need to Know as Employees Return to Work
Four of KRCL’s Employment Law attorneys are presenting a webinar in conjunction with Celesq AttorneysEd Center. In light of COVID-19-related shutdowns, employers are getting ready to reopen. Doug Bracken, Darren Harrington, Richard Hathaway and Andrea ‘AJ’ Johnson will identify and discuss key sources for employer guidance, common themes found in most of the guidance, and […]
Coronavirus FAQ #4 for Employers – CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program
As part of KRCL’s COVID-19 Resources and Insights, the Employment Law Practice Group presents Q&A on the Paycheck Protection Program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES”), as put together by Director Demetri Economou and Associate Emily Green. CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program FAQ
DOL Issues Temporary Rules Related to FFCRA
DOL PRESS RELEASES, PROMISED WEBINAR, FRIDAY 4/3/2020, and ONLINE DIALOGUE On the day that the law went into effect, April 1, 2020, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued its temporary rule about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The new rule (123 pages) is now available, and a summary from the Department of Labor […]
Dallas County Paid Sick Leave Blocked by Federal Court
A federal judge in Sherman, Texas on Monday issued an injunction blocking enforcement of the City of Dallas Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (“Ordinance”). Businesses with employees in Dallas for now will not need to comply with the Ordinance that was set to be enforced starting today. Enactment of the Ordinance The City enacted the Ordinance […]