Tag archives: covid19

US: OSHA Issues COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rule

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

US: Cal/OSHA publishes new standard that causes confusion for California employers

By Josh Henderson (US) and Kevin Mayer (US) on June 1, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

On May 28, 2021, the employer community got its first glimpse of a revised Cal/OSHA emergency, temporary standard (ETS) for COVID-19 that may become law by June 15, 2021. That day—June 15—is significant because it is the date the governor set as a goal for California to “fully open its economy.” In addition, the CDC’s … Continue reading

US: Mandatory COVID-19 vaccines and employer health and safety obligations

By Kevin Mayer (US) on April 29, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

Federal OSHA has recently released guidance advising on employer health and safety obligations when employers require employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Specifically, OSHA addresses the potential (albeit rare to date) of an employee who incurs an adverse reaction to a mandated vaccination. In such a situation, the reaction will … Continue reading

US: Why a Mandatory Vaccination Policy May Not Restore Business as Usual for Companies

By Josh Henderson (US) on April 23, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

Throughout the United States, employers are weighing whether to have a mandatory vaccination policy for COVID-19. The objective is to bring employees back to work safely and the understandable desire to return to our pre-pandemic status quo. This post does not advocate in favor or against a mandatory vaccination policy—except to note there may be … Continue reading

US: New York employers must provide paid time off for COVID-19 vaccinations

By Rachel Kurth (US) on April 1, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

New COVID-19 vaccine paid time off requirement for New York employers New York employers should be aware of a recently enacted New York State law that entitles employees to paid time off from work to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Under this new law, New York employers must grant each employee a sufficient period of time, not … Continue reading

US: California employers must take measures to curb workplace spread of coronavirus under emergency CAL/OSHA rules

By Josh Henderson (US) and Jackie Karama (US) on November 22, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has approved emergency, temporary COVID-19 regulations under California’s Occupational Safety & Health Act. California employers must now establish specific measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in nearly every workplace in California. The emergency regulations, which the Standards Board approved on Thursday night by a unanimous vote, … Continue reading

US: Virginia becomes first state to adopt COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

By Kevin Mayer (US) and Jackie Karama (US) on August 12, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

On July 27, 2020, the first state “Emergency Temporary Standard” (ETS) for COVID-19 went into effect. The ETS requires employers in the state to develop and implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the workplace. The ETS is in effect for six months, although this period could be shortened if the Virginia State of Emergency … Continue reading

US: California: San Francisco employees laid off due to COVID-19 may have reemployment rights under new ordinance

By Josh Henderson (US) and Phillip Di Tullio (US) on July 13, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, United States

On July 3, San Francisco’s new “Back to Work” emergency ordinance took effect, requiring employers to rehire certain employees laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when the employer seeks to fill the same position formerly held by the laid-off worker, or a substantially similar position. The ordinance will expire on September 2, … Continue reading

US: Return to work considerations for New York employers during COVID-19 pandemic

By Nandini Rao (US) and Rachel Kurth (US) on June 12, 2020 Posted in North America, United States

Businesses with operations in New York State and, particularly, in New York City, face unique obstacles with respect to reopening their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 380,000 confirmed cases across the state, and over 200,000 confirmed cases in New York City, most New York residents have been affected by the virus in some … Continue reading

US: Return to work in an office environment: Employer considerations and best practices

By Barbara D'Aquila on May 19, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

Many businesses quickly shifted to remote work, where possible, and abandoned operations in an office setting when COVID-19 became a pandemic or when jurisdictions required or encouraged people to stay at home. Now, as these businesses contemplate resuming operations in the general office setting, they are grappling with a myriad of issues and concerns. See … Continue reading