As featured on #WorkforceWednesday: This week, we finally have some guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and big employment law changes in Virginia go into effect.
Sweeping Changes for Virginia Employers Take Effect
July 1, 2020 represents a milestone for Virginia employers. As we previously reported, nearly two dozen new employment laws take effect, including the Virginia Values Act. In addition, all of Virginia enters Phase Three of Governor Ralph Northam’s Safer at Home plan to reopen the economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Changes
The Latest COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for Illinois and Chicago Employers
Last week, Illinois moved in to “Phase 4” of the state’s five-stage Restore Illinois Plan (the “Plan”). As part of this transition, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity issued updated, industry-specific Phase 4 Guidelines (the “Guidelines”).
From an employer compliance standpoint, the transition from Phase 3 to 4 is not a radical change.
Video: Health Care Employers Face Reopening Challenges – Employment Law This Week
Featured in #WorkforceWednesday: Attorney Denise Dadika examines the unique challenges health care employers face as they ramp business back up and reopen for both patients and employees.
NJ Governor Again Increases Permissible Size of Gatherings and Clarifies the Meaning of “Outdoor Area” for Purposes of Outdoor Dining
On June 22, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 156 (“EO 156”), which, effective immediately, increases the permissible number of attendees at indoor and outdoor gatherings from the limits he established in Executive Order 152 (“EO 152”) (which we wrote about here).
Specifically, pursuant to EO 156:
- For indoor gatherings, the
Video: Employers Brace for Surge in Union Activity – Employment Law This Week
Featured in #WorkforceWednesday: As businesses across the United States open up, workers may increasingly turn to unions to help support their safety. Employers should take steps to properly prepare for this resurgence in union activity. Attorney RyAnn Hooper explains more.
Texas Local Governments Impose New Face Covering and Health and Safety Plan Requirements Upon Employers, as COVID-19 Cases Surge
For the last two weeks, Texas is continuing to break records for daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, on June 23, 2020 Texas had the highest daily number of COVID-19 cases (5,489) since the pandemic began, and for twelve consecutive days had record-high hospitalizations. Also on Wednesday,
Addressing Data Privacy and Security Provisions in COVID-19 Related Service Provider Agreements and Beyond
Employers’ engagement and use of various types of vendors has expanded recently, to include vendors who assist with office re-entry screening and contact tracing as employees return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service agreements that are negotiated and executed for this purpose should sufficiently address data privacy and security considerations related to employee
New Jersey Governor Allows Certain In-Person Higher Education to Resume on July 1
On June 18, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 155 (“EO 155”), which as of July 1, 2020, allows degree-granting public and private institutions of higher education (“IHE”) to resume instruction that cannot be readily taught other than in-person. Specifically, EO 155 allows resumption of in-person labs, technical, clinical, or hands-on instruction,
UK Update: What Employers Need to Know About the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
As we previously reported, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many employers and employees throughout Europe. Since mid-March 2020, the Government of the United Kingdom has implemented several measures and guidance to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to other European jurisdictions, one such measure is the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”),