Due to safety measures such as mask wearing/facial protection, social distancing, limited gatherings, and reduced travel, the workplace experience is different today than a few months ago. Social guidelines and business...more
Nearly two years since many professionals gathered in-person and on-site, the prospect of return-to-office en mass is picking up pace....more
In order to prepare for issues Oklahoma employers could face in the future, we monitor lawsuits filed in other states that present new, unique, or challenging claims for employers. Keeping track of national trends makes...more
On May 3, 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2006 (SB 2006) and Executive Orders 21-101 and 21-102, immediately suspending all existing city and county emergency COVID-19 restrictions, such as mask and...more
The New York state legislature passed the Hero Act, which would require all employers in New York to implement certain safety standards and adopt a prevention plan to protect against further spread of COVID-19 and other...more
Utah residents were advised Sunday night of a state of emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to a significant spike in cases and attendant strain on Utah hospital facilities and health care providers,...more
Wednesday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 192 (“EO 192”), creating additional COVID-19 mitigation protocols for New Jersey employers that will be effective on November 5, 2020 at 6:00 am. These new...more
“Tourist hotels” in San Francisco must soon comply with Ordinance No. 208-20 enacted on October 9, 2020, which establishes cleaning and disease prevention standards and practices to help contain COVID-19....more
In the face of a significant COVID-19 surge, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced yesterday the implementation of a new regime for evaluating COVID-19 transmission risk and enhanced measures for mask use, social distancing, and...more
For approximately the last six months, public boards subject to the Open Meetings Law (“public boards”) have been meeting solely via electronic means due to COVID-19 mass gathering restrictions and due to health and safety...more
As employers and employees alike shift to new protocols and procedures amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Department of Labor (DOL) reminded employers about their continuing responsibilities....more
I am amazed at how often business owners are surprised to learn that all employers in California are required to prepare, implement and inform employees about the employer’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Are...more
This 21st edition of Unprecedented, our weekly update on COVID-19-related litigation, pairs defense victories with new claims. Lenders obtained the dismissal of a lawsuit claiming agent fees under the PPP program, and...more
On August 11, 2020, Nevada Governor Sisolak signed Senate Bill No. 4 (SB 4) into law. While SB 4 received significant media attention for its provision shielding businesses from liability related to COVID-19 under certain...more
In mid-June, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore appointed the Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts, and charged it with examining technological, regulatory, and other long-term innovations for New York Courts. ...more
As states allow businesses to reopen and employers begin returning to the workplace, questions arise regarding the potential liability of employers if employees and consultants contract COVID-19 in the workplace—which might...more
Seeking to prevent San Francisco’s return-to-work program from reigniting a surge of COVID-19 cases, the city’s Board of Supervisors (“Board”) has passed the “Healthy Buildings Ordinance” (“Ordinance”). This temporary...more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased pressure on health care facilities, and long term care providers specifically, by issuing COVID-19-related citations and initiating COVID-19-related...more
On July 24, 2020, California released the Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening. The Employer Playbook provides detailed information for employers in an easy-to-read checklist format. The majority of the document is...more
With over 40 states showing a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the novel coronavirus remains top of mind for employers throughout the U.S. Numerous state and federal measures have been—and continue to...more
On July 15th, Virginia approved temporary emergency workplace safety standards related to COVID-19, making it the first state in the nation to do so. While final language has yet to be approved, the standards are expected to...more
As most employers know, the EEOC has confirmed employers may implement processes to take employee's temperatures before allowing them to enter the workplace during the pandemic. State and local governments in over twenty...more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently developed a COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document to provide a central location for commonly asked questions concerning steps employers can take...more
This 14th edition of Unprecedented, our weekly update on COVID-19-related litigation, showcases new and evolving trends. Employers are facing claims for both doing too much and too little in response to the COVID-19 pandemic....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On July 7, 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed additional emergency measures to establish cleaning and disease prevention standards at tourist hotels and large commercial office buildings. ...more