The week of July 26, 2021 heralded multiple developments relating to COVID-19 that would be significant if measured independently, but escalate to a monumental impact because of their synchronicity.
Articles Discussing Human Resources And Other Workplace Topics.
IRS Updates FAQs to Include Leave to Accompany Someone to a COVID-19 Vaccination or to Care for Someone for COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Illnesses
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) extends tax credits available to covered employers who provide qualified sick and family leave wages (within the meaning of ARPA) to their employees between April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated its FAQs on the
Mandatory Employee Vaccines – Coming to A State Near You?
While available vaccines have proven highly effective in controlling COVID-19 and its variants to date, the virus continues to spread — particularly among unvaccinated populations. In the face of flagging interest, officials across the U.S. have tried different approaches to increase vaccination rates. For example, officials launched incentive programs,
CPRA: Background, Notice at Collection, and Website Privacy Policy
As the pandemic ebbs in late 2021, employers need to confront new data protection challenges. In the first podcast in the Littler California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Podcast Series, Co-Chair of Littler’s Privacy Practice, Philip Gordon, along with core privacy team members, shareholders Kwabena Appenteng and Zoe Argento, discuss
Biden Administration Issues Memo Focused on Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Following a series of major ransomware attacks, including against Colonial Pipeline, which provides the East Coast with 45 percent of its gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, President Biden issued a National Security Memorandum (“the Memorandum”) last week intent on improving cybersecurity for critical infrastructure systems. The Memorandum comes in follow
Mask Up: Bay Area Counties Urge Vaccinations and Mandate Face Coverings Indoors
As follow-up to the California Department of Public Health’s new guidance issued on July 28, 2021, seven Bay Area counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma and the City of Berkeley all issued separate orders to mandate masks indoors.
Candid COVID Conversations: Delta and More
In this podcast, Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss how the COVID crisis is affecting Florida employers now. After a brief hiatus and the workplace starting to “normalize,” the rise of the Delta variant particularly in Florida is creating new questions for employers continuing to
Federal Tax Credits Now Available When Certain Employees Use Emergency Paid Leave to Help Others Obtain or Recover from COVID-19 Vaccine
The federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that certain employers can claim federal tax credits when employees use emergency paid leave to accompany an individual to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and/or to care for an individual recovering from an injury, disability, illness, or condition related to the vaccine.
Is Every Indoor Workplace a ‘Public Indoor Setting’ Under the CDC’s New Masking Guideline or Are Employers Jumping to Conclusions?
On May 13, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amended its COVID-19–related guidelines to provide that vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in public, whether indoors or outdoors. Many employers, therefore, decided to amend their COVID-19 policies to allow vaccinated workers to go without
CDC Issues New Guidance on Masks and Post-Exposure Protocols for Fully-Vaccinated Individuals and Masks for In-Person K-12 Schools
As the delta variant (B.1.617.2, which is one of the genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2) fuels a substantial rise in COVID-19 cases in unvaccinated individuals, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on masking and a number of other issues on July 27, 2021.
Mask Mandates After State-Wide Mask Recommendations – Are More Restrictions to Follow?
On July 28th the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued revised guidance for the use of masks, including recommending universal masking indoors statewide. This guidance comes on the heels of changes in the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) guidance recommending masking for indoor settings in areas with substantial and
Forging Commitments: How Manufacturers Can Promote Retention After Investing in Employee Training
The labor shortage has forced many manufacturers to adopt new strategies to meet their staffing needs.
Mask Up, Mask Down: In Reversal, Health Officials Recommend Masks for Fully-Vaccinated Individuals. What is the Potential Impact on Employer Immunity?
On July 27, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on masking and other health measures in light of the rise in coronavirus cases fueled by the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19.
Breaking News: On-Site Federal Contractor Employees Not Fully Vaccinated May be Subject to Mask and COVID Screening Requirements
In an effort to slow the spread of the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus, President Biden announced (in a July 29, 2021 White House Fact Sheet, as well as at a press conference) that on-site federal contractor employees will be asked about their vaccination status and if not fully
CDC Updates Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Employee Exposure
Released on July 29, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on return to work. This version has been revised to address an inconsistency for critical infrastructure employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 (the CDC has not updated that guidance since December). To make