Topic: Coronavirus

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Essential guidance for employers on COVID-19 measures at the workplace from 26 April 2022

Photo of Wilson AngPhoto of Jeremy LuaPhoto of Wang Chen YanBy Wilson Ang, Jeremy Lua and Wang Chen Yan on Posted in Asia Pacific, Coronavirus, Data privacy and GDPR, Singapore
As Singapore takes its next step towards living with COVID-19, the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”), the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) (collectively, the “Tripartite Partners”) have issued a revised set of guidelines for employers on the COVID-19 measures to be implemented at the workplace applicable from 26 April … Continue reading

UK: New guidance for employers on living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

Photo of Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in Coronavirus, UK
On April 1st, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued guidance for employers on living safely and reducing the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 to replace the previous ‘Working Safely Guidance’ after the relaxing of COVID-19 measures in the UK. The guidance outlines ways employers can aim to reduce the spread of respiratory … Continue reading

Steps for Employers after the ending of COVID-19 restrictions

Photo of Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in Coronavirus, UK
On 21 February 2022, the UK Government announced its plan to end remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England.  These include, from 24 February, the removal of the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test;  and the requirement to wear face-coverings in public spaces and on public transport; and, from 1 April, the withdrawal of free … Continue reading

Updates to Employment Standards Act, 2000 Policy and Interpretation Manual May Provide Further Support for the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing Policies

Photo of Samantha BlackPhoto of Tiffany O'Hearn DaviesBy Samantha Black and Tiffany O'Hearn Davies on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
In recent months, Canadian Governments and employers shifted towards the implementation of mandatory vaccination policies in their workplaces (see our previous publication here). As deadlines for compliance lapse, employees may be subject to discipline up to and including termination. Generally, in the event of an employee’s termination of employment, the employee is entitled to notice … Continue reading

What to expect in employment law in Germany in 2022

Photo of Frank WeberndörferPhoto of Claudia PosluschnyBy Frank Weberndörfer and Claudia Posluschny on Posted in Contracts, Coronavirus, Data privacy and GDPR, Europe, General, Germany, Whistleblowing
Legal innovations Amended regulations apply to this year’s works council elections taking place from March 1 to May 31, 2022. Pursuant to Section 24 (2) of the Election Regulations of October 8, 2021 (BGBl. I 4640/2021), HR departments are required to provide, in addition to the typical employee data used to draw up the electoral … Continue reading

Essential guidance for employers on COVID-19 measures at the workplace from 1 January 2022 (including recent updated measures announced on 27 December 2021)

Photo of Wilson AngPhoto of Jessica PaulinPhoto of Jeremy LuaPhoto of Parry TanBy Wilson Ang, Jessica Paulin, Jeremy Lua and Parry Tan on Posted in Asia Pacific, Coronavirus, Data privacy and GDPR
Glass office building with sky and other towers in its reflectionAs part of Singapore’s move towards living with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, the country has been making efforts to re-open its economy. In order to facilitate the safe re-opening of the economy, the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”) and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (“TAFEP”) have collectively issued guidance for employers … Continue reading

Ce qui attend les employeurs assujettis à la réglementation fédérale en matière de salaire minimum, de congé lié à la COVID-19 et de travailleurs à la demande

Photo of Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
Il y a bon nombre de sujets chauds et importants dont devraient tenir compte les employeurs assujettis à la réglementation fédérale du secteur privé. Parmi ceux-ci, notons l’augmentation du salaire minimum, les changements devant être apportés au congé lié à la COVID-19 et les nouvelles analyses concernant les travailleurs à la demande et la façon … Continue reading

Up and coming for federally regulated employers: on minimum wage, COVID-19 leave & gig workers

Photo of Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
On the radar for federally regulated employers in the private sector are a number of hot and important topics. These include an increase to the minimum wage, in-the-works changes to the COVID-19-related leave, and new discussions about gig workers and how they fit – or may be able fit –  in the framework of the … Continue reading

Stricter COVID-19 rules at German workplaces

Photo of Frank WeberndörferPhoto of Claudia PosluschnyBy Frank Weberndörfer and Claudia Posluschny on Posted in Coronavirus, Data privacy and GDPR, Europe, Germany
In Germany the “Epidemic Situation of National Significance” ends on November 25, 2021.  As a result, the German legislature has amended several COVID-19 related laws, such as the German Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz – IfSG), in order to continue certain protective measures. The amended regulations (BT-Drs. 20/15 and BT-Drs. 20/78) aim to provide for a … Continue reading

En avant toutes : rapports sur la vaccination pour les employeurs sous réglementation fédérale dans certains secteurs clés du transport (et mode d’emploi)

Photo of Nicole BuchananBy Nicole Buchanan on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
Quand ils ont été tenus le faire, de nombreux employeurs sous réglementation fédérale des secteurs du transport maritime, aérien et ferroviaire ont dû être en mesure de confirmer la mise en oeuvre de leur politique de vaccination obligatoire à Transports Canada avant le 15 novembre 2021. Cette mise en oeuvre s’inscrit dans le cadre de … Continue reading

Full steam ahead: vaccination reporting for federally regulated employers in key transportation sectors (and how to do it)

Photo of Nicole BuchananBy Nicole Buchanan on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
Where required to do so, many  federally regulated employers in the marine, aviation and rail sectors were required to confirm the implementation of their mandatory vaccination policies to Transport Canada by November 15, 2021. This implementation is part of Transport Canada’s federal vaccine mandate for key federally regulated transportation sectors, save road transportation. Going forward, … Continue reading

Ontario Superior Court declines to block termination of unvaccinated employees

Photo of Samuel KeenBy Samuel Keen on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
In Blake v. University Health Network[1], the Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently discontinued an interim injunction[2] that had been granted to provisionally preserve the employment status of a group of unionized and non-unionized employees who were subject to the potential termination of their employment for failing to comply with the employer’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination … Continue reading

Au Canada, les employeurs peuvent-ils exiger que leurs employés aient reçu une dose de rappel?

Photo of Stéphane EricksonBy Stéphane Erickson on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus
L’accessibilité à la dose de rappel s’accroît – non seulement au Canada, mais à l’échelle mondiale également. Au Royaume-Uni, des doses de rappel (ou troisièmes doses) sont offertes depuis peu à la population générale de 50 ans et plus. En France et aux États-Unis, l’âge minimal généralement requis est plutôt fixé à 65 ans. Au Canada, le … Continue reading

Italy makes Green Pass mandatory for all workers

Photo of Attilio PavoneBy Attilio Pavone on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, Italy
On September 21 2021, Law Decree no. 127/2021 (Decree 127), providing “urgent measures to ensure the safe performance of public and private work,” was published in Italy’s Official Gazette. Decree 127 extends the scope of the mandatory Covid-19 Green Certification or “Green Pass” and strengthens the screening system.  The Green Pass is a personal QR … Continue reading

COVID-19 Safety Plans vs. Communicable Disease Plans: Have you Caught the Differences?

Photo of Taryn MackieBy Taryn Mackie and Alex Farrant on Posted in Canada, Coronavirus, North America
On July 1, 2021, British Columbia enthusiastically took the next step in its four-step COVID-19 Restart Plan. The transition to Step 3 brought several changes, including the transition for employers to move away from the previously required COVID-19 Safety Plan to the now required Communicable Disease Plan (“CDP”). WorkSafeBC has published detailed guidance for employers … Continue reading

US: New HERO Act Imposes Significant Obligations on New York Employers

Photo of Rachel Kurth (US)By Rachel Kurth (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
New York State employers should be aware of a recent law aimed at protecting workers from COVID-19 and other airborne infectious diseases, the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act), which imposes significant obligations on covered employers.  Among other things, the HERO Act requires the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) to … Continue reading

US: OSHA Issues COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rule

Photo of Rachel Kurth (US)By Rachel Kurth (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a mandatory workplace safety rule requiring employers to take specified steps to protect workers from COVID-19.  However, the rule applies only to health care settings.  Referred to as an emergency temporary standard (ETS), the rule exempts fully vaccinated workers from masking, distancing, and … Continue reading

“Long Covid” and the implications for employers

Photo of Joanna MacKenzieBy Joanna MacKenzie on Posted in Coronavirus, UK
“Long Covid” (or “post-Covid-19 syndrome”) is a condition where people who have contracted Covid-19 continue to experience symptoms for weeks or even months after their initial infection.  It affects individuals differently, and symptoms can range from fatigue, headaches, loss of taste or smell, lasting fever or anxiety, to respiratory difficulties, muscle weakness, blood clots and … Continue reading
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