In light of increasing COVID-19 case numbers in Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb has announced that reopening in Indiana will remain in Stage 4.5 until July 31, instead of July 17.
Archives for July 17, 2020
National Walkout Called for July 20
A national coalition of labor unions and social justice groups is calling for a nationwide strike on July 20, 2020, to publicize issues of racial equality and police treatment of minorities.
COVID-19 Labor & Employment Litigation Tracker
Since March 17, there have been 364 lawsuits (including 46 class actions) filed against employers due to alleged labor and employment violations related to the coronavirus. The filings have increased rapidly over the past few months:
Judge Finds No Scientific Basis for NWS Heat Index Chart Used by OSHA in Heat Stress Cases
An administrative law judge of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission held this week that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had failed to show that a document the agency used to prosecute employers in heat stress cases—the National Weather Service’s heat index chart—has a scientific basis.
Following Spike of COVID-19 Cases in the U.S., Border Restrictions Continue
In a move that was not surprising due to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and the Mexican Foreign Ministry have both announced the continuation of the COVID-19 border restrictions between Canada, Mexico and the United States. These restrictions were first
Facial Analysis Technology in the Workplace Brings Risks
Kwabena Appenteng encourages an easy-to-understand employee notice about facial recognition technology.
SHRM Online
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Beltway Buzz, July 17, 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.
EEOC to Fund Study of Employee Pay and Hours-Worked Data for 2017 and 2018
On July 16, 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it had unanimously voted to fund a statistical study of the EEO-1 Component 2 data collected for 2017 and 2018. This additional EEO-1 data collection ordered by a federal district judge required employers to file reports showing
Alabama Governor Adds Statewide Facial Covering Requirement to ‘Safer at Home’ Order
On July 15, 2020, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued an amended “Safer at Home” order, adding a facial covering requirement. This facial covering order, which goes into effect on July 16, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., requires (1) facial coverings for individuals; (2) protections for employees; and (3) protections for customers.
Virginia Becomes First in Nation to Adopt Emergency Workplace Safety Rules in Response to COVID-19
Executive Summary: In what Virginia Governor Ralph Northam described as a response to an “absence of federal guidelines,” Virginia became the first state in the U.S. to establish and implement emergency workplace safety standards in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Avoiding Workplace Violence: How Businesses Should React if Customers Become Violent When Asked to Wear a Mask
As businesses begin to reopen at varying rates and capacities, subject to state and federal containment measures, companies will be faced with the challenge of complying with safety standards while accommodating customers and clients. Face coverings, gloves, and social distancing remain standard preventive measures, and numerous jurisdictions have encouraged
U.S. Consulates and Embassies to Begin Phased Resumption of Visa Services
On July 14, 2020, the U.S. Department of State announced that U.S. consulates and embassies around the world have begun a phased resumption of routine visa services. The Department of State did not provide a specific timeline for the resumption of routine visa services, stating instead that the schedule will
California COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Presumption Expired on July 5, 2020—Will It Be Revived?
On May 6, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom of California issued Executive Order (EO) N-62-20, creating a temporary rebuttable presumption that employees working outside of their homes who test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, may receive workers’ compensation benefits. In doing so, the governor simplified the process for
Virginia is the First State to Implement COVID-19 Emergency Standard
On July 15, 2020, Virginia became the first state in the nation to implement an emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The ETS covers every employer in the Commonwealth and includes mandatory requirements for all employers (with additional requirements for workplaces with certain exposure risk levels),
OSHA Issues COVID Related Guidance for the Oil & Gas Industry
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued COVID-19 guidance for workers and employers in the oil and gas industry. While this guidance is specifically geared to the oil and gas industry, the guidance is not unlike other best practices OSHA has recommended for other workers in general industry.