On May 29, 2020, the White House issued a new proclamation on the admission of certain nonimmigrant students and researchers from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The proclamation took effect on June 1, 2020, and will remain in effect until terminated. The restrictions suspend the entry into the
Archives for June 2020
IRS Provides Further COVID-19 Relief Related to Postponed Deadlines for Time Sensitive Actions
On May 28, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released an advanced version of Notice 2020-35, which amplifies the relief it had previously provided from deadlines for certain time-sensitive actions. The relief offered by Notice 2020-35 is provided because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and is in addition to the
New York Imposes New COVID-19 Standards on Dental Practices for Reopening
Following Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that dental practices across New York State may reopen to perform all dental care, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) has issued minimum safety and social distancing standards in its “Interim Guidance for Dentistry During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.”
The Interim Guidance
Puerto Rico Governor Signs New Civil Code
On June 1, 2020, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Wanda Vázquez-Garced, signed into law Puerto Rico’s new Civil Code. Some of these changes could impact employment-related contracts, although the extent of this impact is not yet known, and will likely be clarified through legislative guidance in the coming
School’s Out: Can Employees Still Take FFCRA Leave for School Closure Reasons This Summer?
By: School’s Out: Can Employees Still Take FFCRA Leave for School Closure Reasons This Summer?
As employers covered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) know, the Act entitles employees of private employers with less than 500 employees who cannot work (or telework) for Covid-related reasons to take paid sick
Chicago City Council Passes COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance
Chicago’s City Council has passed an ordinance to protect employees from retaliation by their employers if they obey public health orders or orders of a healthcare provider to stay at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance was passed by the City Council on May 20, 2020. Read more.
NLRB Moves Forward with Bulk of Final Election Rule Changes Despite Blow Dealt by Federal Court
On Saturday, May 30, 2020, one day before the effective date of the National Labor Relations Board’s Final Rule on Representation Case Procedures, a judge on the U.S.
New Jersey Issues a New Posting Concerning Worker Misclassification
Earlier this year, Governor Murphy signed a package of legislation aimed at tightening worker misclassification enforcement in New Jersey. One of these new measures, Assembly Bill 5843, established a new posting requirement for employers.
New Presidential Proclamation Suspends Entry of Students, Researchers from China
In addition to the COVID-19-related travel restrictions and consular closures, Chinese graduate students and post-doctoral researchers will now face another hurdle in coming to the U.S. As of noon (EDT) on June 1, 2020, President Donald Trump’s “Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers
California Executive Order Extends Certain Cal/OSHA Deadlines for Issuing and Appealing Citations
The COVID-19 pandemic and statewide closures have brought significant disruptions to government functions and the private sector. Cal/OSHA, the agency responsible for enforcing the state’s occupational safety standards, has likewise been impacted by the closures, which have affected the timing of inspections, issuance of citations, and filing of employer
Rhode Island Court Upholds “Reasonable Grounds” Drug Testing Even Where There Is Another Possible Explanation For Employee’s Behaviors
The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit against an employer who terminated an employee for refusing to submit to a reasonable suspicion drug test, even though the employee’s odd behaviors could have been attributable to pain or other things. Colpitts v. W.B. Mason Co., Inc., No.
COBRA Compliance Through a COVID-19 Lens
Over the last few weeks, we have seen significant changes affecting COBRA compliance. Employers should contact their COBRA administrators to discuss the best practices in light of these developments, which include the Department of Labor’s publication of new model COBRA notices and COVID-19 notice and premium payment extensions. We have
CDC Issues Guidance for Universities and Colleges on Safely Opening Campuses
On May 21, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued Considerations for Institutes of Higher Education, outlining recommendations and guidance on ways universities and colleges can safely open while helping to protect their students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members. The CDC cautions that “[t]he more
California Governor Extends Wage Claim and Cal/OSHA Deadlines
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its continued impact on daily life, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order (EO) N-63-20 on May 7, 2020, extending certain statutory and regulatory deadlines for individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies in California. In addition to other temporary changes, EO N-63-20 extends the
District of Columbia Enters Phase One of ‘Reopen D.C.’ Plan: What Businesses Need to Know
On May 27, 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order No. 2020-067, implementing phase one of a three-stage reopening plan in the District of Columbia. Beginning on May 29, 2020, D.C. residents and visitors will no longer be required to stay at home and certain businesses will be permitted to