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
On September 9, 2021, the White House announced three actions to increase COVID-19 vaccinations of private sector employees throughout the country. These extraordinary actions, which are aimed at curbing the surging Delta...more
9/10/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Contractors ,
OSHA ,
Private Sector ,
Subcontractors ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated and expanded on its guidance about how federal equal employment opportunity laws (“EEO laws”) may apply to potential employer requirements that...more
6/2/2021
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Disability Discrimination ,
EEO ,
Employee Incentive Plans ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
GINA ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Guidance ,
Pregnancy ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Religious Discrimination ,
Religious Exemption ,
Title VII ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
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 December 16, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued guidance about how federal equal employment opportunity laws (“EEO laws”) may apply to potential employer requirements that employees be...more
12/21/2020
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Civil Rights Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Disability Discrimination ,
EEO ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Genetic Discrimination ,
GINA ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Guidance ,
Rehabilitation Act ,
Religious Discrimination ,
Title VII ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
On July 6, 2020, in connection with Massachusetts entering Phase Three of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 reopening plan, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development published the Phase III Step 1...more
7/10/2020
/ Business Travel ,
Contact Tracing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Office Space ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Remote Working ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
On April 16, 2020, the White House issued “Opening Up America Again,” federal guidelines to reopen the U.S. economy through a three-phase approach. State and local governments are also beginning to create their own frameworks...more
Employers are considering whether to implement layoffs, furloughs or hours reductions in light of the economic uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This alert reviews significant considerations for employers that...more
4/1/2020
/ CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Retention ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Furloughs ,
Layoffs ,
Paid Leave ,
Pay Reductions ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Sick Leave ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Deferral ,
Unemployment Benefits ,
Unemployment Insurance ,
Wage and Hour
The disease caused by the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has been rapidly spreading around the world, including recently in the United States. The most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and...more
3/5/2020
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Anti-Discrimination Policies ,
Best Practices ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employee Privacy Rights ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OSHA ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Public Health ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Risk Management ,
Serious Health Conditions ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety