Several updates related to COVID-19 vaccination mandates occurred this week at the federal and local levels. On December 17, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay on the federal government’s mandate that employees of covered employers receive a COVID-19 vaccination or undergo weekly testing. In addition, New York…
On October 28, 2021, New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, signed legislation protecting employees who report illegal or dangerous business activities from retaliation by their employers. Read all about it here.
In response to COVID-19 vaccination mandates and employer-mandated vaccination policies, federal agencies continue to issue guidance. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) have released additional guidance addressing common employer concerns regarding vaccination status, discrimination, and reasonable accommodations. …
Two decisions issued by different federal courts in New York on the same day. In one, the court found that New York State could not mandate vaccinations for healthcare workers without considering religious objections. In the other, the court rejected the public school teachers’ argument that New York City was…
The CDC is encouraging employers to appoint “vaccination ambassadors” to motivate employees to get vaccinated. Although I’m sure that the CDC has good intentions, this latest pronouncement is fraught with pitfalls. This is just my opinion, of course, but here are the problems I see: Vaccination ambassadors are also employees…
OSHA just recently posted new guidance intended to inform employers and workers in identifying risks of exposure to COVID-19. You shouldn’t miss this one. Click the following link to read all about it. OSHA Issues New Guidance on COVID-19.
On September 30, 2020, section 196-b of the New York State Labor Law went into effect. The legislation, which provides for the accrual of employer-provided sick leave, permits sick leave to be taken beginning on January 1, 2021. We wrote about the New York State Paid Sick Leave law previously,…
Over the last month, my colleagues and I at Murtha Cullina have been blogging about the myriad federal and state statutes and regulations addressing COVID-19 issues in the workplace. At times, we’ve had to revise and update our blogs to reflect the latest agency guidance on these issues. Rather than…
Over the last few weeks, our Labor & Employment Group has published blogs addressing federal and state developments involving COVID-19 issues affecting the workplace. Rather than publish those resources separately here, because that would be redundant of course, I invite you to visit our Group’s Employment Perspectives blog. Stay safe.
On the heels of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law yesterday, New York State has enacted broad legislation extending paid sick leave benefits to employees. The extent of paid sick leave is determined by employer size and revenue, and can be utilized by employees whether they are sick, or absent…