Tag archives: Covid-19

Legacy Employers: Who are they? Can they still access the temporary JobKeeper enabling directions under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)?

Photo of David CrossBy David Cross and Norah Chafardet on Posted in Australia, Coronavirus
When extending Part 6-4C of the Fair Work Act (Cth) (FW Act), the government recognised there would be employers who had previously qualified for the JobKeeper scheme, but who would no longer qualify to participate in the scheme following its extension past the end of September 2020.… Continue reading

Amendments to the JobKeeper scheme

Photo of David CrossBy David Cross and Norah Chafardet on Posted in Australia
On 3 September 2020, the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (JobKeeper Payments) Amendment Act 2020 (Cth) (Act)[1] passed both houses of the Commonwealth Parliament, extending the JobKeeper scheme, varying employer JobKeeper eligibility requirements and making amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act).… Continue reading

End of the lockdown in France: what are the precautions for employers operating in France?

Global Workplace InsiderBy Elodie Grangier on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France
On 7 May, the French Prime Minister announced the date chosen for the start of the “de-confinement” phase for France, namely 11 May 2020. The lockdown, which started on 17 March, lasted almost 2 months during which some shops and businesses were closed, and the vast majority of companies operated on the basis of remote … Continue reading

Employment law under COVID-19 lockdown: 10 things to know

Photo of Mohammed ChavoosBy Mohammed Chavoos on Posted in South Africa
The government enforced 21 day lockdown raises many issues relating to employee rights, including concerns around whether leave (for workers who cannot work from home) will be paid or unpaid, whether UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) applies and what the rights of essential workers are. Here are ten things to know about employment law during the … Continue reading

Five cost cutting measures to sustain your business and safeguard your employees

Photo of Verushka ReddyPhoto of Mandisa DumaBy Verushka Reddy and Mandisa Duma on Posted in South Africa
This article was written with the assistance of Kriyanka Reddi, Candidate Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc The declaration of a state of national disaster due to COVID-19 and the resulting nationwide lockdown has left employers and employees in a precarious situation. The lockdown has had a devastating impact on employment throughout the country, … Continue reading

UK Pensions: Regulator’s annual DB funding statement urges collaboration to meet COVID-19 challenges

Photo of Lesley HarroldBy Lesley Harrold on Posted in UK
  On April 30, 2020, the Pensions Regulator published its 2020 funding statement for defined benefit (DB) schemes with valuation dates between September 22, 2019, and September 21, 2020. However, these COVID-19 times are challenging for all businesses, and the effects of the pandemic are relevant to all DB schemes. The statement urges collaboration between … Continue reading

Reduction in work considerations for New York employers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Photo of Nandini Rao (US)By Nandini Rao (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
It has been nearly one month since the “New York on PAUSE” Order was implemented to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced that the Order will be extended until May 15, 2020, requiring non-essential businesses across New York to remain closed for at least an additional month.  With these ongoing … Continue reading

US: New COVID-19-related paid sick leave requirements for larger Los Angeles employers

Photo of Josh Henderson (US)By Josh Henderson (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
Employers with either 500 or more employees within the City of Los Angeles, or who employ at least one employee in Los Angeles and have 2,000 or more employees within the US, must now provide supplemental paid sick leave for reasons related to the coronavirus pandemic for those employees performing work in the city. Notably, … Continue reading

US: DOL issues guidance on coronavirus paid leave rule and clarifies coverage for stay-at-home orders

Photo of Marjorie Glover (US)Photo of James HughesBy Marjorie Glover (US) and James Hughes on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
On April 1, 2020, the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued a temporary rule providing key guidance on paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The rule clarifies that employees covered under a federal, state or local stay–at-home order may be eligible for paid FFCRA leave but only if work or telework … Continue reading

Temporary variations to the Hospitality and Clerks modern awards in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Photo of David CrossPhoto of Martin OsborneBy David Cross, Martin Osborne, Bronwyn Hammond and Norah Chafardet on Posted in Australia, Coronavirus
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has acted on applications made by employer associations and unions by varying a number of awards to introduce temporary flexibility provisions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health orders. These important measures aim to provide employers with the flexibility to resource their businesses appropriately in the … Continue reading

US: Employer obligations for COVID-19 mandated remote work expenses (California and beyond)

Photo of David Kessler (US)Photo of Josh Henderson (US)Photo of Susana Medeiros (US)By David Kessler (US), Josh Henderson (US) and Susana Medeiros (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, many employers are requiring their employees to work remotely (either voluntarily or because several states, including California and New York, have imposed social distancing restrictions). The new work-from-home reality has implications for employers with workers employed in California and other states, as described in COVID-19: Working from home and … Continue reading

US DOL issues new guidance on COVID-19 paid sick and family leave

Photo of Marjorie Glover (US)By Marjorie Glover (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
The US Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance which answers a number of key questions on the new federal coronavirus paid sick leave and emergency Family and Medical Leave Act leave, including when the law takes effect, how to count employees for purposes of the 500-employee threshold, how to treat related employers and other key … Continue reading

Employment law under COVID-19 lockdown: 10 things to know

Photo of Mohammed ChavoosBy Mohammed Chavoos on Posted in Coronavirus, South Africa
The government enforced 21 day lockdown raises many issues relating to employee rights, including concerns around whether leave (for workers who cannot work from home) will be paid or unpaid, whether UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) applies and what the rights of essential workers are. Here are ten things to know about employment law during the … Continue reading

Permits required for persons leaving home to perform essential services during South African lockdown

Photo of Christina PretoriusBy Christina Pretorius on Posted in Coronavirus, South Africa
Submitted by Christina Pretorius, Director, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc Further regulations regarding the implementation of South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown were released on the evening of 25 March, just over a day before the lockdown takes effect at 24:59 on 26 March. The lockdown applies to everyone within the borders of South Africa, and … Continue reading

Comment faire face au Coronavirus en France?

Global Workplace InsiderBy Elodie Grangier on Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France, General
Depuis le mois de janvier 2020, l’épidémie de Coronavirus COVID-19 s’est rapidement propagée à travers le monde, causant des milliers de décès. Le Gouvernement français a réagi en plusieurs temps : après avoir émis des recommandations en matière de gestes barrière, il a ensuite pris la décision de fermer écoles et établissements accueillant des enfants, puis … Continue reading

New York’s new coronavirus-related leave requirements

Photo of David Gallai (US)Photo of Rachel Kurth (US)By David Gallai (US) and Rachel Kurth (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
On Thursday, March 19, 2020, New York State enacted a law requiring that New York State employers provide job-protected time off (in some cases, paid time off) to employees who are affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in certain ways (the “NY COVID-19 Law”). The NY COVID-19 Law requires that, for each employee who is … Continue reading

US: New key COVID-19 employment and labor issues

Photo of Joseph Dole (US)Photo of Josh Henderson (US)Photo of Marjorie Glover (US)Photo of Barbara D'AquilaBy Joseph Dole (US), Josh Henderson (US), Marjorie Glover (US) and Barbara D'Aquila on Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States
COVID-19, the 2019 novel coronavirus (“COVID-19” or the “coronavirus”) continues to stress US employers attempting to prevent the disease from spreading in their workplaces while continuing to operate effectively. With each passing day, health authorities provide more information about the spread of the disease and federal, state and local governments impose additional restrictions that impact … Continue reading

United States federal coronavirus law requires some employers to provide paid leave

Photo of Marjorie Glover (US)By Marjorie Glover (US) on Posted in Coronavirus, General, North America, United States
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides relief to families and workers facing the global coronavirus pandemic. The FFCRA provides: (1) free diagnostic testing for coronavirus; (2) food assistance to low-income pregnant women and mothers with young children, food banks, seniors and students; (3) … Continue reading
LexBlog