On July 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a new interpretation of the hospitalization reporting requirement of 29 C.F.R. § 1904.39(b)(6), one that states that employers “must report the hospitalization within 24 hours of knowing both that the employee has been hospitalized and
Archives for July 24, 2020
Nevada Employers –Beware: Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Are on the Rise
An increase in the number of scams involving false unemployment benefits claims are emerging in Nevada and across the country. Third parties are filing claims for unemployment insurance benefits using the names and personal information of employees who have not lost their jobs. They are often using accurate personal information,
Connecticut’s Mandatory Self-Quarantine Executive Order: 5 Things Employers Need to Know
On July 21, 2020, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order No. 7III, which made mandatory a previous advisory self-quarantine recommendation for individuals—including employees—traveling from states with high COVID-19 infection rates. While an exemption for essential travelers still applies, there were a number of changes
Missouri Tightens the Leash on Fake Fidos
On July 14, 2020, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed Senate Bill (SB) 644, increasing the potential penalties imposed on Missourians and visitors who attempt to pass off their pets as bona fide service dogs. While Missouri law previously made it a crime to impersonate an individual with a disability, now
Littler Global Guide – Puerto Rico – Q2 2020
Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.
Colorado Enacts Public Health Emergency Whistleblower (PHEW) Law Protecting COVID-19 Workplace COPs
At a time when employers are struggling to stay current with ever-changing COVID-19 laws and public health orders, Colorado has enacted a new Public Health Emergency Whistleblower (PHEW) law on the heels of its sweeping new paid sick leave law under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Broadly
Massachusetts Issues Stronger Travel Restrictions
Massachusetts has issued strict new travel restrictions, including quarantine requirements, unless the person is coming from a “lower-risk state,” has proof of a negative COVID-19 test, or meets certain narrow exemptions.
In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, Massachusetts had initially issued “instructions” asking visitors to the Commonwealth from out-of-state
Philadelphia Enacts Anti-Retaliation Ordinance for COVID-19 Workplace Complaints
On June 26, 2020, Philadelphia became the first city in the United States to enact legislation specifically protecting workers who make complaints about workplace safety due to COVID-19.
Beltway Buzz, July 24, 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.
U.S. Senate to Vote on New NLRB Member
The Senate plans to vote during the last week in July on the nomination of Lauren McFerran to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), according to Employment Law360.
Currently, the five-member NLRB has two vacancies. McFerran, a Democrat, served on the NLRB from December 17, 2014, to December 16, 2019.
New Pennsylvania COVID-19 Grant Program Helps Employers Provide Hazard Pay to Employees in Life-Sustaining Occupations
On July 16, 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the COVID-19 PA Hazard Pay Grant Program—a $50 million grant aimed to help employers provide hazard pay to “front-line” employees working in sectors that are vital to the state during the pandemic. Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
A Slew of New Employment Laws May Be on the Horizon for California Employers
By: A Slew of New Employment Laws May Be on the Horizon for California Employers
Although the pandemic has caused the shutdown of many businesses and has significantly curtailed life as we know it, it has not stopped the California legislature. The legislature is considering a number of bills this term
CDC Revises Guidance for Discontinuing Home Isolation
On July 17, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its Discontinuation of Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 Not in Healthcare Settings interim guidance. This is the guidance upon which employers rely in determining when employees are safe to return to work after being sick with
No Rest for the Weary—Government Contractors’ EEO-1 Deadline Delayed Due to COVID-19, but VETS-4212 Filings Still on Schedule
While the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) postponed the 2019 EEO-1 filing deadline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), which is in charge of the VETS-4212 filings, has taken no such action—which means that government contractors may want to begin preparing promptly for
COVID-19 Detection Dogs in the Workplace: A Viable Option for Employers?
As employees return to work, some employers are asking if there could be another tool to detect COVID-19 in the workplace: detection dogs. Traditionally, the military has used detection dogs to find bombs, and law enforcement has used them to sniff out narcotics, guns, electronics, or other contraband. More recently,