Despite a global pandemic and two COVID-19-related legislative shutdowns over the last seven months, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California legislature have concluded the 2020 Legislative session on September 30, 2020, with an outbreak of new employment-related laws for employers to grapple with. Not surprisingly, many are related to COVID-19.
Archives for October 7, 2020
OSHA Clarifies Reporting Requirement for COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations and Fatalities With New FAQs
On September 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a new series of answers to its “COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) guidance relating to an employer’s obligation to report work-related hospitalizations and fatalities that occur as a result of COVID-19. The new FAQs
Michigan Agency Steps Up Mask Mandate and Other Requirements to Fill Void Created by Nullification of COVID-19 Executive Orders
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued an emergency order prohibiting certain gatherings and mandating masks, partially filling the gap created by the Michigan Supreme Court’s October 2, 2020 opinion nullifying the governor’s post-April 30, 2020 COVID-19 executive order
Puerto Rico–Qualified Retirement Plans: 2020 Year-End Amendments Deadline Coming Soon
All of the recent changes to the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules of Section 401(a)(9) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, except for provisions related to the handling of tax-free rollovers, may be applied to Puerto Rico participants in dual-qualified plans (i.e., U.S.-qualified retirement plans that cover both U.S. and
Washington Raises Income Thresholds for Workers Subject to Noncompetition Covenants
In May 2019, Washington enacted restrictions on noncompetition covenants, which we wrote about in our article, “Washington State Governor Signs Legislation Restricting Noncompetition Covenants,” and which took effect on January 1, 2020.
20 Tips for U.S. Virgin Islands Employers in 2020: Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Conducting business in the U.S. Virgin Islands poses unique challenges not often encountered in the states, but also unique opportunities. This 20-part series offers tips for doing business in the U.S. Virgin Islands, covering a broad array of topics affecting employers. Part 12 of this series addresses the workplace laws
DFEH Releases FAQ, Updates Regulations for Fair Chance Act
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) recently released Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) for California’s Fair Chance Act. The Fair Chance Act, commonly referred to as California’s “ban the box” law, imposes restrictions on when and how employers may inquire about and consider an applicant’s criminal history, including
California Employers Will Soon Have New COVID-19 Reporting Obligations
Alka Ramchandani-Raj, Melissa Peters and Kennell Sambour describe the states virus-related requirements.
SHRM Online
Littler survey: smarter working and greater attention to well-being, but employment will drop once subsidies are over
Carlo Majer, Edgardo Ratti and Guillaume Desmoulin offer perspectives on the employer survey.
Industria Italiana
Employers grapple with COVID-19 presumption laws
Harry DeCourcy sees the changes as putting workplace safety in the spotlight.
Business Insurance
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Flip-flopping Guidance: The Saga Continues
Last week we wrote about government agencies’ tendencies to “flip-flop” on guidance related to preventing transmission and spread of coronavirus (“COVID-19”), and how this impacts employers’ ability to meet health and safety compliance obligations expectations and avoid regulatory liability. Underscoring these points, on Monday the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Dress-Code Policies Reconsidered in the Pandemic
Mark Phillis suggests guidelines need to reflect the business reality of more video calls.
SHRM Online
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The ACR Guide to Mastering Internal Investigation Interviews: Warming Up
Donald Dowling reminders employers that data protection warnings are mandatory in certain jurisdictions.
Anti-Corruption Report
3 steps to prevent discrimination complaints
Devjani Mishra encourages employers to identify circumstances that could foster harassment or discrimination.
HR Dive