We had all heard it was coming, and now it looks like it’s here and going to stay awhile. Businesses have been given curfews, indoor dining is curtailed again, and schools are going all virtual. We are back, but what is different this time is many people are suffering from “quarantine fatigue.” That being the case, employers must not treat this wave differently than they did the last time. New Jersey has recently set forth requirements that employers must follow for those employees in the office.
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The Second Wave is Here – N.J. Executive Order 192 Imposes New Pandemic-Related Requirements for Employers Posted on: December 03, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
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When OSHA Knocks On Your Door: An Employer’s Guide to Workplace Inspections Posted on: August 25, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
Since the pandemic started, there have been over 31,000 COVID-19-related complaints to federal and state OSHA offices. OSHA has a number of ways to investigate these complaints, including written inquiries, document requests, and inspections. An OSHA inspection can sometimes be quite intimidating for employers. Therefore, employers should know their rights before OSHA shows up for an inspection. Seven key elements of OSHA inspections, along with employers’ corresponding rights, are described in this post.
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The Pandemic’s Silver Lining: Tips for Making the Most of Virtual Communication Posted on: August 20, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
If there is a silver lining in the current COVID-19 pandemic, it may very well be the pervasiveness of electronic communication, including Zoom, WebEx, Blue Jeans, and other virtual platforms. Before March 12, 2020, I traveled constantly. It was not unusual to spend a day traveling, appear in court for a 15-minute case management conference, and spend another half day returning to home base only to travel again.
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Healthcare Providers Beware: HIPAA Applies When Complying With Subpoenas Posted on: August 18, 2020 In: Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
Much scrutiny has been given to the treatment for COVID-19 and the use of funds in fighting it. In time, the local, state, and federal governments will be investigating or prosecuting organizations accepting COVID-19 funds or treating those with the coronavirus. Covered entities, such as healthcare providers and health plans, might be served with subpoenas and discovery requests. It is important to know how to manage the release or disclosure of patient information subject to these requests.
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How Employers Can Best Accommodate Working Parents During COVID-19 & Avoid Discrimination Claims Posted on: July 02, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
COVID-19 has resulted in no schools, no child care, and no after school activities, leaving no option for many working parents but to stay home and care for their kids while working full-time jobs. Working parents are struggling to balance childcare responsibilities and job responsibilities during these tough times. Additionally, employers are struggling to stay in business, leading to record lay-offs and unemployment. The result? Legal experts predict a significant increase in litigation.
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Business Email Compromise Attacks on the Rise in 2020 Posted on: June 18, 2020 In: Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
A business email compromise (BEC) is a cyber crime that utilizes access to an organization’s email to defraud that organization and its employees, customers, or partners. In 2020, COVID-19 has provided attackers with a new source for BEC exploits. Attackers are taking advantage of the need for communications surrounding COVID-19 and increased remote work connections from employee home networks to their employers’ corporate networks.
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Three Tips to Mitigate Employment Discrimination Risks As Stay-at-Home Orders Are Lifted Posted on: May 21, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
Many businesses are now being challenged to return some or all of their furloughed employees to work based on the modification or elimination of stay-at-home orders and other state and local restrictions. This post discusses three tips that employers should consider to help mitigate the risks of exposure to employment discrimination claims under federal, state, and local laws as this process unfolds.
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Enforcing Safety Measures While Maintaining Compliance with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act: Four Considerations Posted on: May 20, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability “in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation.” Notably, this prohibition applies to both the built environment and to the policies and procedures affecting how a business provides goods and services to its customers.
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Work-From-Home: Five Tips to Avoid Overtime Liability Posted on: May 11, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
By now, the coronavirus pandemic has caused considerable disruption to most employers. In light of various restrictions imposed under various stay-at-home orders, many employers have been forced to adopt Work-From-Home (WFH) policies on the fly, without the benefit of preparation or advice from legal counsel regarding potential liabilities that these policies can involve.
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New York City Council Proposes Essential Workers’ Bill of Rights Posted on: May 08, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
In April, the New York City Council introduced a sweeping legislative package designed to aid small businesses, essential workers, tenants, and the homeless in the five boroughs during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The package includes a series of bills the Council calls the “NYC Essential Workers’ Bill of Rights,” which would require large employers to provide additional protections and hazard pay to hourly workers assisting the city’s efforts to continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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EEOC Provides Guidance for Businesses Contemplating Return-to-Work Policies and Procedures Posted on: May 06, 2020 In: Labor & Employment
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, employers are adjusting their practices on an ongoing basis in accordance with ever-changing government guidelines. Indeed, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its recommendations for how employers may comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other employment laws as employees begin to return to work. This post summarizes the key elements of these updated guidelines.
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Trademark Lawsuits Used to Stop Exploitative Pricing Markup of Protective COVID-19 N95 Masks Posted on: April 29, 2020 In: Intellectual Property & Technology
At a time when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical need for personal protective equipment, intellectual property owners have brought trademark infringement lawsuits to stop pandemic profiteers from price-gouging and engaging in other misleading tactics. These lawsuits demonstrate the power that intellectual property law has to protect valuable brands and stomp out outrageous conduct.
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