As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to study COVID-19, the agency is regularly updating guidance on precautionary measures to further prevent the spread of COVID-19 across the United States. The agency has expanded its recommended precautions to include “wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing
Articles Discussing Workplace Issues Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
UPDATE: NCAA Rejects Blanket Waiver of Minimum Sports Requirement in Midst of COVID-19
The NCAA Division I Council has rejected the efforts of the leaders of five Division I Conferences (the American Athletic, Mountain West, Mid-American, Sun Belt, and Conference USA conferences) who collectively had asked the NCAA for a blanket waiver on behalf of 27 of the 32 NCAA Division I conferences
Guidance Released on Seeking Reimbursement for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment to Uninsured Individuals
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted on March 18, 2020, appropriated $1 billion to reimburse providers for conducting COVID-19 testing for the uninsured. In addition, part of the $100 billion Provider Relief Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, will
EEOC Opines on COVID-19 Testing by Employers
In the past few weeks, the EEOC has updated its What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws on multiple occasions. The EEOC’s most recent update to this informal guidance provides an answer to the following question: “May an employer administer a
Lost Revenue from COVID-19 Crisis Prompts Colleges, Universities to Urge NCAA Waiver
Even as some states claim the immediate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to plateau, the potential financial impact of the pandemic on college athletics is just starting to emerge.
As college and universities assess potential budget shortfalls as a result of the $375-million loss of their portion of
Governor Newsom Announces Initiatives Supporting California Workers Affected by COVID-19
As California employers continue their efforts to weather this difficult and economically uncertain time, the state is also taking steps to assist California workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced several new initiatives to support California workers who have been affected by COVID-19.
Expansion of Call
NLRB Rejects Hospital’s Bid to Stay Representation Election based on COVID-19 Pandemic
In an unpublished decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has denied an acute- care hospital’s request to stay a representation election based on the COVID-19 pandemic. Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Case 04-RC-257107 (Apr. 23, 2020). The union’s representation petition was filed on February 28, 2020. The union, which did not
SBA Highlights Necessity in Certification Requirements for Paycheck Protection Program Borrowers
April 24, 2020
On April 23, 2020, the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, published updated Frequently Asked Questions that included one new provocative Q&A about limitations on the types of borrowers that may be eligible for a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). On April 24, 2020, the SBA also issued additional Interim Final Rules regarding the PPP related to promissory notes, authorizations, affiliation and eligibility.
PPP Loan Forgiveness: Some Answers, Many Questions
Much has happened in the three-plus weeks since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act was enacted on March 27, 2020. The $349 billion dollars appropriated to the newly created Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been exhausted. The Small Business Administration (SBA), the Federal agency administering the PPP,
Analytics at Large: COVID-19 Data vs. HR Data — What’s the Difference?
By: Samantha Rhoads & Michael Cortes[1]
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on statistical terms often unfamiliar to anyone but such professionals as statisticians and data scientists. Terminology such as infection rates, “flattening the curve,” and related statistical information are now being used as slogans and hashtags. This post
DOL FFCRA Q&A Updates Raises Questions About Substitution of Paid Leave
On April 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor updated its Questions & Answers website regarding the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA). The update included 8 new questions and answers on various topics, most relating to computing hours of leave […]
FCC’s Declaratory Ruling on the TCPA’s “Emergency Purposes” Exception During COVID-19: Does it apply to Workplace Correspondence?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) generally prohibits the use of automated dialing equipment or prerecorded voice messages to make calls, send text messages, or send faxes absent prior consent of the called party. This includes calls or texts to cellular phone numbers as well as calls to residential lines.
Paycheck Protection Program Update: New Money to Be Allocated
April 22, 2020
The initial allocation of $349 billion in forgivable loans to be made to small businesses and non-profits under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) administered by the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) was fully allocated on April 16, 2020.
FBI Issues Warnings Regarding COVID-19 Fraud Schemes
The Special Agent in Charge of the Boston office of the FBI, Joseph Bonavolonta, has issued an advisory aimed at alerting and keeping individuals and companies safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. His memo reported on emerging schemes and frauds being perpetrated by criminals looking to capitalize on
States Providing Guidance and Considering New Rules to Protect Agriculture Workers from COVID-19
As harvesting seasons approach, some state safety agencies have considered whether additional safety measures are needed to protect agricultural workers from potential exposures to coronavirus (“COVID-19”). In California, the state Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety & Health (“Cal OSHA”) released specific guidance on April 7, 2020 for