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
“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
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
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
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
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
From 4 July, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and other outdoor activities in the United Kingdom reopened but are required to comply with new guidance announced 23 June. To facilitate their opening, the...more
Government officials across the country are easing up on the stringent business closures and stay at home orders that helped the nation slow the spread of COVID-19 earlier in the year. Each jurisdiction will emerge from this...more
On June 18, 2020, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new publication entitled Guidance on Returning to Work. The Guidance contains recommendations regarding best practices for employers...more
Many businesses are anxious to resume operations after closing or scaling back because of COVID-19. However, trends in North Carolina COVID-19 diagnoses and hospitalizations show that the pandemic is still very much an issue....more
Fenwick’s employment practices group has compiled the following checklist setting forth key considerations and emerging best practices that businesses should take into account when formulating a plan for employees’ return to...more
OSHA and the CDC have each recently issued new guidance for employers as more and more employees make their way back to on-site work following the COVID-19 shutdown. Here are a few tips to consider to ensure that you are...more
As businesses begin to reopen nationwide, they should take note of a recently emerging litigation trend: lawsuits against employers for allegedly insufficient COVID-19 protocols and safety measures that are claimed to have...more
Pursuant to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidance, employers in certain businesses must require employees, contractors, and volunteers to wear a mask, face covering, or face shield, unless an accommodation for people with...more
Continuing New York State’s four-phased plan for reopening nonessential businesses and expanding essential businesses in the state (“New York Forward” or “NYF”), New York has released summary and detailed guidelines...more