Regulatory

The government agency overseeing workplace safety reminds employers to promote measures to protect workers and others from exposure to COVID and the risk of spreading the virus. The holidays can be chaotic, particularly during challenging times like we’re currently experiencing. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent out a notice reminding employers about their responsibility to protect worker safety during the holidays. … [Read more...] about Put Happy and Safe Holidays on the Agenda

The COVID pandemic has created as many questions as answers, and many of these relate to legal issues. It is important to sort these out now so you can move forward in a way that benefits both your employees and your organization. COVID is unlike any challenge employers and their employees have ever faced. Every day, there are new questions. Many of these involve legal rights and responsibilities. Know the answers so that you can protect everyone and avoid workplace woes that hurt your teams and your company. … [Read more...] about Here It Is: The COVID-Related Legal Guidance You Need

There is so much going with in regulatory and legislative circles these days, it can make your head spin. However, there are a few upcoming SCOTUS cases employers should keep on their radar. With the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a champion for women’s rights and workplace equity, the future of the Supreme Court and the cases it reviews is uncertain. At this point, no one can predict what the coming weeks and months will bring.  While there aren’t many employment-related cases coming before the SCOTUS, there are a few that could impact how employers function in the new year and beyond. … [Read more...] about No Crystal Ball, But Court Cases Could Shape the Future

Employers and employees alike have questions about the new so-called “payroll tax holiday.” Here are the answers you need to decide how this might work and what your next step should be. Late last month the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service issued guidance implementing the Presidential Memorandum allowing employers to defer withholding and payment of employees’ portion of the Social Security tax if the employee’s wages are less than $4,000 during a bi-weekly pay period. However, according to one source, many employers hesitate to implement this program because workers would need to repay deferred taxes in 2021; and this could create a hardship for many individuals. … [Read more...] about Confused about Payroll Tax Suspension? You’re Not Alone

You can’t stop employees from traveling this year, but you can institute protocols and procedures to minimize infection risks. Because of state-specific travel restrictions and concerns about preventing the spread of COVID, employers are looking at ways to protect workers and prevent exposure to and spread of the coronavirus. While some restrictions are limited by laws and other considerations, there are some steps organizations can take to keep people safe and happy. … [Read more...] about Road Risks: How to Protect Employees on Vacation

According to a new survey, COVID is causing disputes between employers and employees, and lawsuits are on the rise. Nearly half (43%) of 283 COVID-19-related lawsuits were filed in June, so it is clear that things are getting more heated. This 43% represents a 30% increase from cases filed in May and a 103% increase from April. Class action suits are also on the rise, with 41 filed since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly half of them in June. It is important to know what is contributing to conflict and resulting litigation and what you can do to proactively address problems before they blow up. … [Read more...] about COVID Contributes to Workplace Complaints: How Can You Calm Concerns?

Experts share the latest coronavirus-related guidance for safe employee and patient care. Every day, there are new developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, in guidance on March 18, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) gave employers permission to take employees' temperatures to try and ward off the spread of the coronavirus in their organizations. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that not every person with COVID-19 has a fever, and not every person with a fever has COVID-19. … [Read more...] about New Strategies to Approach COVID-19 Released

Take a deep breath. You’re not alone in efforts to protect everyone from COVID-19. There’s much sound advice, support, and help available. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued two new Quality, Safety, and Oversight memos addressing COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the skilled nursing environment. These documents offer important guidelines for nursing homes and recommendations that can help keep assisted living community and other senior living residents and staff safe. … [Read more...] about Keep Calm and Follow the Guidance: New Information, Resources Are Designed to Keep Workers, Residents Safe

Everyone’s talking about this frightening and dangerous illness. Here’s how to keep employees safe and calm their fears. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar has declared a public health emergency for the entire country to aid response to the coronavirus. While only a few people in the U.S. have tested positive for the virus, it is causing concern and even panic. Now is the time to revisit your infection control policies, programs, and procedures to ensure that employees, residents, and others are protected. Then share this information with your teams so that they are confident about your ability to address this issue. … [Read more...] about How Employers Can and Should Address Concerns about Coronavirus

New legislation aims at ensuring employers make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). This bill requires private sector employers with more than 15 employees to make “reasonable accommodations" for pregnant employees, job applicants, and individuals with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. … [Read more...] about Expectant Moms Get New Protections