Articles Discussing Workplace Issues Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The development of the COVID-19 vaccines has brought hope of returning to some semblance of a pre-COVID workplace. As governments around the world acquire the vaccines and begin implementing their vaccination efforts, employers are left to ascertain their response, considering their duties to protect workers’ health and safety and

The Biden administration reportedly has called for all people at least 18 to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by April 19, 2021, two weeks earlier than its prior goal of May 1, and less than a week away. Most states have already done so. Without the barriers created by

In March 2021, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released results from a national survey conducted between February 22-26, 2021 of front-line hospital administrators at 320 hospitals across 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.  The purpose of

With COVID-19 vaccinations rolling out across the country, loosening restrictions on operations, increased demand, and other signs of recovery in the industry, hospitality employers are poised to expand their workforces. This article explores potential legal risks that may arise as hospitality employers that laid off or terminated staff during the pandemic hire staff.

The Biden administration has called for all people at least 18 to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by April 19, 2021. Most states have already done so.

On April 9, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its “Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators.”  The update includes changes to respirator-provision strategies at Conventional Capacity, Continge

COVID-19 drove many formerly in-person interactions onto a variety of video conferencing platforms.  But as millions of vaccinations are administered each day, and case numbers decline, it’s now possible to imagine and plan for the time when conducting business over video will no longer be mandatory.

For many organizations, though,

On April 6, 2021, the total number of COVID-19-related employment complaints filed in United States courts passed the 2,000 mark.  Although it took eight months to reach the first 1,000 complaints (March–November 2020), it took less than five months to go from 1,000 to 2,000. Indeed, December 2020 through March

Providing incentives for employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be on the minds of organizations as vaccinations pick up speed. However, concerns about privacy and the shifting positions on wellness program regulation has left many employers wary about implementing more robust incentives. According to Bloomberg, two GOP members

Following up on Georgia’s “COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act,” passed and signed into law in 2020, the Georgia legislature has passed a one-year extension to the liability protection, to July 14, 2022. The bill has been sent to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.

As more counties move toward the Orange Tier on the state reopening guidance, businesses can reopen or operate under less restrictive requirements. This may mean employers need more employees than in the last several months. Though last year, the Governor vetoed a statewide right of recall requirement, several cities still

North Carolina opened COVID-19 vaccinations to everyone over age 16 on April 7, 2021. Both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services have excellent resources for employers to use to encourage employees to become vaccinated. The Raleigh News & Observer recently reported that over a quarter of the adult population of North Carolina (more than 2 million people) have already been fully vaccinated. 

Several questions have arisen on how to make claims and handle worker compensation claims arising from COVID under the LHWCA , 33 USC 901 et seq.  The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued the following guidance to employees and guidance to employers and insurance carriers on how to handle claims

As COVID-19 vaccines become more available, companies in the fitness industry, including gyms, health clubs, and fitness boutiques, continue to navigate their reopening plans. This article addresses questions companies in the fitness industry may have.

On March 18, 2021, the Biden administration extended ongoing travel restrictions along the United States-Canada and United States-Mexico land ports of entry through April 21, 2021. The restrictions, which were previously set to expire on March 21, 2021, prohibit all “non-essential” travel from entering the United States to prevent the