On December 7, 2021, a U.S. District Judge temporarily blocked—nationwide—implementation of the Administration’s “federal contractor and subcontractor vaccination mandate,” a mandate which would have required that all employees of an employer with a “covered contract” be vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than January 8, 2022. As a result, as of the date of this article, no employer in the United States is bound by that mandate. But that could change.
Archives for December 9, 2021
Upcoming Labor Changes—“Micro Units”
Nearly a year after his inauguration, President Biden has completed the shift of the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) to a pro-union majority. See our prior article here. The reconstituted NLRB will devote significant time reviewing and changing important labor law precedents and rules during the coming year. These changes will likely make it increasingly challenging for employees and employers to remain union-free.
Washington Updates Pandemic-Readiness Rules to Implement HELSA and PPE Law
Not waiting for guidance from federal authorities, Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued emergency rules to implement two new state pandemic-readiness laws: Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) (formerly, ESSB 5115; now, RCW 49.17.062-.064) and Voluntary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage (SSB 5254).
Judge Blocks COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Nationwide for Federal Contractors; OMB Issues Guidance
A Georgia federal district court judge has issued a preliminary nationwide injunction halting enforcement of Executive Order (EO) 14042, “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.” Georgia v. Biden, No. 1:21-cv-163 (S.D. Ga. Dec. 7, 2021).
Walgreens CEO Roz Brewer to Leaders: Put Your Phones Away and Listen to Employees
Brewer says inclusion and equity are about making employees feel seen and heard.
Advice on dealing with a workplace bully
Fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment will make it easier to contain a toxic colleague.
Microsoft to change hiring process after DOJ finds immigration-related discrimination
An investigation found that Microsoft discriminated against at least six lawful permanent residents based on their immigration status.
Carrabba’s to Pay $690,000 to Settle EEOC Lawsuit for Sexual Harassment
Former Managing Partner at Brandon, Florida Restaurant Sexually Harassed Female Employees, Federal Agency Charged
After Covid Closures, a New Quest to Make Offices Less Awful
To lure workers back, companies are renovating spaces, using software so staff can coordinate visits and dangling upgraded food to make offices more appealing. ‘You want to create a pull, not a push.’
Starbucks workers at a Buffalo store unionize in a big symbolic win for labor.
Employees at a Buffalo-area Starbucks store have voted to form a union, making it the only one of the nearly 9,000 company-owned stores in the United States to be organized and notching an important symbolic victory for labor at a time when workers across the country are expressing frustration with wages and working conditions.
4 Benefits Of Expanding Your International Workforce
Maybe you’ve dabbled with hiring one or two people from overseas during your time as an entrepreneur or CEO.
Give me workplace flexibility or give my organization death
The sentiments of the workforce are crucial to getting flexible work right.
Here’s Who’s Most—And Least—Likely To Support Vaccine Mandates In The Workplace
As the debate over Covid-19 vaccine mandates continues to rage, an analysis of Axios/Ipsos polling data from recent months shows that while a slim majority of 56% of employed U.S. adults continue to support employer vaccine mandates, that support varies sharply based on demographics like vaccination status, party, age and where people live.
Divisiveness In Your Workplace? Tips For Bridging The Divides
We’re living in a high-decibel age of competing echo chambers. While respect, empathy and trust are more important than ever, those basic human qualities are in dangerously short supply.
MSHA in Transition Mode as 2021 Nears Its End
Two words sum up where the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is as 2021 comes to a close and mine operators prepare for 2022: transition period.