Idaho is offering cash bonuses to employees who return to work as the state lifts COVID-19–related restrictions and businesses reopen. In an effort to incentivize employees who are now earning more money due to the additional benefits provided through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, Idaho has implemented a Return to
Archives for June 2020
Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance: A Narrow Amendment With Broad Implications
The Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance and the Cook County Earned Sick Leave Ordinance took effect in July 2017. The language of each ordinance largely mirrors the other, and where an employer falls under the jurisdiction of both, the Cook County Interpretative and Procedural Rules provide that the Cook County
Updated EEOC Guidance: COVID-19 Antibody Testing Cannot Be Required to Return to Work
Earlier this month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its Technical Assistance Questions and Answers on COVID-19 issues to state that employers cannot require antibody testing of its employees before they return to work. The EEOC’s guidance came in response to the CDC’s earlier statement regarding antibody testing. In
Nevada’s Minimum Wage Set to Increase on July 1, 2020
As most employers are aware, Nevada has a two-tier minimum wage system. Currently, Nevada employers are required to pay their employees a minimum of $8.25 per hour unless they qualify to pay the lower tier minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. Employers seeking to qualify for the lower tier
NLRB Finds Employers Do Not Have Bargain Discipline with a Newly Certified Union Prior to the Signing of an Initial Contract
On Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in 800 River Road Operating Company, LLC d/b/a Care One at New Milford, (Care One) issued a decision overturning the controversial Total Security Management decision. In Care One, the NLRB held that […]
Universities and Professional Sports Franchises Face Potential Of Unintended Legal Exposure For Well-Intentioned Employment Decisions
Despite the ongoing changes to the workplace in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing remains unchanged: federal EEO laws and their role in the workplace.
As colleges and universities and professional sports organizations make plans for the resumption of play in the next couple of months, university presidents and
New Ransomware Tactics and Strains Emerge, Including Public Auctions of Stolen Data
As many have learned over the last several years, ransomware is a type of malware that denies affected users access to critical data by encrypting it. Attackers profit handsomely by requiring victims to pay substantial sums, typically tendered in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. A look at some of the
Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Driver Who Refused Reasonable Grounds Drug Test
On May 29, 2020, the Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed a trial court’s dismissal of a lawsuit alleging a violation of the Rhode Island drug testing statute brought against an employer that terminated an employee for refusing to submit to a reasonable grounds drug test. Although there were multiple
California Department of Public Health Provides Guidance for Employers Responding to COVID-19 Outbreaks
As businesses reopen, employers will almost certainly be faced with the potential of a COVID-19 outbreak in the workplace. In addition to the industry-specific guidance for reopening that the State of California has issued, the California Department of Public Health (the Department) recently issued guidance for employers responding to a
Littler Earns Gold Standard Certification From the Women In Law Empowerment Forum
(June 26, 2020) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has received the Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) for the 10th consecutive year. WILEF grants Gold Standard status to firms that meet objective criteria concerning the number of
Beltway Buzz, June 26, 2020
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C. could impact your business.
Colorado Passes Law Requiring Employers to Provide Three Types of Paid Sick Leave
The Colorado legislature recently passed SB20-205, the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (“HFWA”), which will require all Colorado employers to provide three types of paid sick leave: 1) COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave (“CO-EPSL”); 2) Paid sick and safe time (“PSST”); and 3) Public health emergency paid sick leave (“PHEL”).
Administration Steps Closer to Issuing End Dates on Student Visas
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to push forward a proposed rule that would set a maximum period of authorized stay for students. Although the details of the rule are unknown, the draft reportedly has been sent to the federal budget office for review. This is generally the last step
Texas Takes Immediate Action to Scale Back on Reopening
On June 26, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-28, immediately scaling back the reopening of Texas due to substantial increases in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the number of hospitalizations. Read more…
The Texas Reopening Two-Step: The Governor First Pauses Reopening, Then Takes a Step Back with New Restrictions
On June 26, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-28, restricting certain businesses and services in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. This order was issued because of the substantial increases in COVID-19 positive cases, and increases in the COVID-19 positivity rate and related hospitalizations. The