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 […]
Returning to Work in the Shadow of COVID-19: Resources and Suggested Approaches for Employers
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, […]
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
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES)
CARES: The Impact on Business, Employers and Employees Today, March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the largest and most comprehensive act to aid businesses, employers and employees, particularly in the small business segment, during this COVID-19 pandemic. The hefty price tag, $2 trillion, will provide direct relief to businesses, with the specific goal of assisting […]
Update on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA” or the “Act”), into law. The law overhauls leave requirements for employers – amending the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to add new Public Health Emergency Leave and enacting Emergency Paid Sick Leave for reasons related to the Coronavirus. The […]
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
COVID-19 has already significantly impacted the U.S. in unprecedented ways. In response, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law yesterday evening a law designed to provide relief to families impacted by the recent coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. As most people already know, the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020 declared COVID-19 a global […]
Coronavirus FAQ #2 for Employers – Working from Home
Dear AJ: Some healthy employees want to work at home. Do I have to allow that? AJ’s Answer: The question posed, in my view, requires a larger look at our businesses and what we want to accomplish, how we want to do that, what we actually are able to do, and what makes sense for our […]
Coronavirus FAQ #1 for Employers – Compensation
Dear AJ: What if I have to tell employees to stay home, be “self-quarantined,” or shut our office for a couple of weeks? What am I required to pay people? AJ’s Answer: Required (by law) payment of employees on quarantine is dependent on whether the employee works or not and if they are exempt/salary or not. […]
Our Patchwork of Sick and Vacation Pay Rules Is Counter-Productive to American Employment
My Dear Mr. President . . . and to our Esteemed Congress, Here’s the perspective of one employment lawyer in Texas. Guys, [1] we still have a country to run. [2] And, the reality is our country runs on business, which means employers and employees. In the Employment Law Area, we Need National Thought, Practice, […]