On November 18, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law measures that immediately prohibit workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private and public employers and begin the process for Florida establishing a state occupational safety and health plan.
Archives for November 19, 2021
Day 2: Application of Florida’s Vaccine Mandate Law
As we relayed in our prior ASAP, Governor DeSantis signed HB-1B into law on November 18, potentially affecting all Florida employers and certainly causing many to reconsider any policies already adopted relating in any way to COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Florida Law
Biden Shot-or-Test Mandate Collides with Faith-Based Objections
Melissa Peters talks about religious requests being pitted against workplace safety in lawsuits from religious groups seeking to avoid the Biden Administration’s vaccination or testing mandate.
Bloomberg Law
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Beltway Buzz, November 19, 2021
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.
OSHA Suspends ETS Mandate
Yesterday, November, 17th, OSHA officially suspended all activities regarding the implementation and enforcement of the recent ETS establishing the COVID-19 vaccination/testing mandate for employers. OSHA did this in response to the current injunction and in recognition of the fact that the viability of the ETS will take some time to
New Florida Law Governs Employer Vaccine Mandates
On November 15, the Florida Legislature convened for a special session to consider four proposed laws reacting to the recent federal vaccine mandates applicable to various employers throughout the country. Governor DeSantis’s announced intent for calling this special session and promoting the bills was to “stop the coercion” of
Ring in the New Year with Minimum Wage, Tipped and Exempt Employee Pay Increases
Minimum wage laws can affect businesses of all sizes, whether operating nationwide, in multiple jurisdictions, or only in one state, county, or city. To help manage this challenge, below we provide a rates-only update that details scheduled state- and local-level wage increases that will occur on January 1, 2022
Understanding the Current Status of Multiple ETSs – Both Federal and California
It has been a difficult couple of months for California employers seeking to navigate planning for possible changes to their workplace safety plans, in view of multiple new sources of potential obligations. While there are many competing considerations that may affect planning, including new federal requirements stemming from President
USCIS Revises Policy Regarding Employment Authorization for H-4, L-2, and E Dependent Spouses
On November 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance addressing the automatic extension of employment authorization for H-4, L-2, and E dependent spouses in response to a class action lawsuit.
The Case Against Loving Your Job
The compulsion to be happy at work “is always a demand for emotional work from the worker,” writes Sarah Jaffe.
It’s Wild Wild West (Hollywood): Minimum Wage (to the Max), Paid (and Unpaid) Leave . . . and Service Charges
On November 15, 2021, West Hollywood, California enacted an ordinance that establishes a local minimum wage, requires employers to provide paid and unpaid leave benefits, and governs how businesses advertise and distribute service charges.
Career Coaching Today: Forget the Corporate Ladder and Find Yourself
The pandemic created a great reckoning among workers. Here to serve them is a raft of newfangled career coaches.
New Florida Law Requires Employers to Give Employees Multiple, Potential Exemptions to Any Mandatory Vaccine Requirement
Yesterday, November 18, 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation designed to give employees numerous COVID-19 vaccination exemptions to use to avoid any mandatory vaccination policy their employers seek to impose. Specifically, private employers must grant exemptions for: health or religious concerns; pregnancy or anticipated future pregnancy; past recovery from
Employer-Provided COVID-19 Testing: An Employee Benefits Q&A
Although the fate of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) rules remains in limbo, many employers are moving ahead with efforts to comply with the OSHA emergency temporary standard (ETS) that requires employers with 100 or more employees to ensure that all are fully vaccinated or subject to COVID-19
OSHA Won’t Enforce Covid Rules, Pending Court. Prepare Anyway
On November 4, 2021, OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) announced the details of the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Covid regulations in businesses of 100 employees or more. Two weeks later, after a court ruling by the 5th Circuit rejecting the ETS, OSHA announced that they would not be enforcing the