As COVID-19 Cases Increase, States Adopt Workplace Standards and Emergency Ordinances

With over 40 states showing a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the novel coronavirus remains top of mind for employers throughout the U.S. Numerous state and federal measures have been—and continue to be—enacted in response to the pandemic. We explore some of these recent policies and their impact on employers below. More ›

Virginia: Employees can sue Individual Supervisors for Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy

A nurse who worked at an orthopedic spine center claimed that she was subjected to sexual harassment by her supervisor, a doctor who was the owner of the center. When she refused to leave her husband to be with the doctor, he allegedly fired her. She filed suit, claiming gender discrimination as well as wrongful discharge against both the center and the doctor. Both parties filed motions to dismiss, and the doctor prevailed on his motion because the district court found that wrongful discharge claims by an employee are cognizable only against the employer and not against supervisors in their individual capacity. The nurse appealed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which then certified the following question to the Virginia Supreme Court:  More ›