Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed into law Senate Bill 359, which, like legislation enacted by several other states, is designed to protect healthcare facilities, businesses, and other entities from civil liability related to the spread of COVID-19, except in limited situations that include where there is a showing of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Archives for August 11, 2020
What It Means: President Trump’s Executive Order on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations
On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump issued the Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster (Executive Order).
Handling Retail Customers Who Refuse to Wear a Mask
Many jurisdictions require individuals to wear face coverings in public spaces, including in retail businesses, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Georgia Legislation Requires Employers to Provide Paid Lactation Breaks
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed new legislation requiring employers to provide paid lactation breaks and private locations at the worksite where working mothers can express breast milk. The new law is effective immediately.
Littler’s Adama Wiltshire Awarded National Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Chairman’s Award
PHILADELPHIA (August 10, 2020) – Adama K. Wiltshire, an associate in the Philadelphia office of Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been awarded the National Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (NBA YLD) Chairman’s Award. This award honors YLD board members and professionals who
Georgia Law Shields Businesses from COVID-19 Liability
Georgia recently became the ninth state1 to shield businesses from liability stemming from COVID-19. Governor Brian Kemp signed the new law, the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act, on August 5, 2020, and the new law took effect immediately.
Cal OSHA issues Updated Infection Prevention Guidance for Agricultural Employers
To assist with protecting the essential workers who work in the agricultural industry, California’s Department Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal OSHA”) issued updated guidance on coronavirus (“COVID-19”) infection prevention procedures for employers in the agricultural industry. Read our full article on the guidance here.
Alabama Department of Labor Announces New Documentation Requirement and Enforcement Initiative
The Alabama Department of Labor (AL DOL) recently announced two new changes affecting employers.
New Executive Order Calls for Review of Federal Contracts and Directs Agencies to Take Action to Protect U.S. Workers
On August 3, 2020, the Trump Administration issued an executive order (EO) directing the secretaries of the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security to “take action … to protect United States workers from any adverse effects on wages and working conditions caused by the employment of H-1B [workers].”
OFCCP Announces Modernized Contractor Tools
On Monday this week, OFCCP announced user-friendly updates to the National Pre-Award Registry and a new VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark Database. Both tools appear to make information access easier for federal contractors, as well as individuals with vision challenges.
The Registry is a useful tool for contractors because it identifies contractor
Uber and Lyft Ordered to Reclassify Their Drivers as Employees
By: Uber and Lyft Ordered to Reclassify Their Drivers as Employees
As we recently reported, the State of California, joined by the cities of San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, recently filed a lawsuit against Uber and Lyft in San Francisco Superior Court, alleging that they unlawfully persist in classifying
White House Takes Executive Action on Unemployment Insurance, Payroll Taxes
On August 8, 2020, the president signed several executive memoranda and an order addressing the continued economic havoc of the COVID-19 pandemic, two of which are of direct interest to employers.
Payroll Tax Deferral
Puerto Rico’s New Electoral Code Creates Two Hours of Paid Voting Leave
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez recently signed into law Puerto Rico’s new Electoral Code, Act No. 58 of June 20, 2020 (Act No. 54-2020). The Electoral Code includes noteworthy changes to employees’ voting rights.
Puerto Rico Enacts Law Extending Maternity Leave to Mothers Adopting Children Ages Six and Older
On August 8, 2020, Puerto Rico Governor Hon. Wanda Vázquez Garced signed into law House Bill No. 2424 (“Bill No. 2424”), to amend the Puerto Rico Working Mothers Protection Act, otherwise known as Act 3 of March 13, 1942 (“Act No. 3-1942”). The purpose of Bill No. 2424 is