On March 7, 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo used his executive powers to announce Executive Order 202, placing New York under a State of Emergency based on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Archives for September 7, 2021
Gov. Hochul Triggers New York HERO Act and Signs Legislation on Labor Day
On September 6, 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the commissioner of health designated COVID-19 as a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under New York State’s HERO Act.
Texas Legislative Update: What Employers Should Know About the 87th Session
Over its regular and two special sessions, the Texas legislature has passed several bills that are or soon will be in effect and will impact employers’ workplace policies and procedures. Additional special legislative sessions yet may be held and, with them, more changes may be on the horizon.
New Missouri Law Requires Employers to Provide Leave to Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence
Missouri employers with at least 20 employees will soon be obligated to provide leave to victims of domestic or sexual violence under the Victims Economic Safety and Security Act (VESSA), signed into law by Governor Mike Parson on August 28, 2021. VESSA also requires employers to provide employees notice of the new law no later than October 27, 2021.
A Back Door to the PRO Act: NLRB General Counsel’s Aggressive Agenda Raises New Risks for Employer
While one of organized labor’s most important legislative priorities, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), languishes with a seemingly limited chance at becoming law, employers still must brace for substantial pro-union changes to labor law. Recent developments at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have clarified some significant avenues the NLRB may pursue.
Susan Fahey Desmond Discusses Implications of Employees Volunteering to do Extra Work
Susan Fahey Desmond discusses the legal implications of employees volunteering to do extra work when faced with an increased workload or a tight deadline in “Employers Can’t Dodge Wage Obligations After Hurricane Ida,” published by Law360.
CalChamber General Counsel Erika Frank to Depart
Erika Frank, longtime general counsel and executive vice president of legal affairs for the California Chamber of Commerce, has accepted a position at the Shaw Law Group, a leading employment law firm in Sacramento. Read the fully story on the CalChamber’s site here.
Alert for Employers of Conditional Permanent Residents: Receipt Notices Now Valid for 24 Months
Effective September 4, 2021, USCIS permits the receipt notice given to Conditional Permanent Residents for the Petition to Remove Conditions (Form I-751 or Form I-829) to serve as evidence of lawful immigration status for travel and employment for twenty-four months from the date of issue. Prior receipt notices extended the period of validity for either one year or eighteen months. Conditional Permanent Residents with pending Petitions to Remove will be issued new two-year receipt notices.
The Missing Piece in the Push for Boardroom Diversity
Private companies are lagging behind publicly traded firms, but don’t receive the same scrutiny.
5 Reasons Your Employees Don’t Understand Your Company’s Vision
They can’t follow a north star they can’t see.
Why Companies Need Returnship Programs (Back to Work, Better)
A conversation with consultant Carol Fishman Cohen about easing people back into the workforce.
New York Announces HEROS Act Workplace Infection Protections
The health of workers in New York State is getting legal backing as the commissioner of health has designated COVID-19 a highly communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm under the state’s HERO Act.
How Office Culture Changed in the Pandemic—From Workers Who Went Back Ages Ago
Some employees have been toiling in cubicles for months while private offices sit empty; shifting rules and surprise doughnuts
HEY, BOSSES! Let Us Work from Home!
Essential workers and extenuating circumstances aside, we don’t need your crummy office
Menopause, the law and discrimination at work
Readers respond to a feature on women forced out of work by menopause and a report on suggestions that menopause should be a protected characteristic under the Equality Act