Showing 31 posts in COVID-19.

New York Adopts New Workplace Nursing Mothers’ Law

December 19, 2022 by Jason S. Greenfield

On December 9, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a new workplace lactation bill, set to go into effect on June 7, 2023. The law, which amends Section 206-c of the New York Labor Law, requires that an employer provide reasonable unpaid break time, or allow for the use of paid break or meal time, each time an employee has a reasonable need to express breast milk, for up to three years following childbirth. The law further states that upon employee request, an employer is obligated to provide a location for expressing breast milk. The designated location must contain a chair, a working surface, and an electrical outlet. Additionally, the location must be in close proximity to the employee's work area, near clean running water, with lighting, shielded from view, and free from intrusion by other people. The designated location cannot be in a restroom or toilet stall. Furthermore, if the workplace has access to refrigeration, the employer must allow for the storage of expressed milk. More ›

The 12 Days of California Labor & Employment – Day 8 "Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for COVID Expiring"

December 19, 2022 by Mellissa A. Schafer

In the spirit of the season, we are using our annual "12 days of the holidays" blog series to address new California laws and their impact on California employers. On this eighth day of the holidays, my labor and employment attorney gave to me: eight maids a milking and AB 152. More ›

The 12 Days of California Labor & Employment – Day 4 "Additional COVID-19 Notice Requirements"

December 13, 2022 by Mellissa A. Schafer

In the spirit of the season, we are using our annual "12 days of the holidays" blog series to address new California laws and their impact on California employers. On this fourth day of the holidays, my labor and employment attorney gave to me: four calling birds and AB 2693. More ›

The 12 Days of California Labor & Employment - Day 3 "COVID Presumption Extended"

December 12, 2022 by Mellissa A. Schafer

In the spirit of the season, we are using our annual "12 days of the holidays" blog series to address new California laws and their impact on California employers. On this third day of the holidays, my labor and employment attorney gave to me: three French hens and AB 1751. More ›

New York City to End Its Private Sector COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

October 5, 2022 by Jason S. Greenfield

On September 20, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City will end its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for private sector employees, effective November 1, 2022. Since December 27, 2021, private and public employees working in New York City were required to provide their employer with “proof of vaccination” before entering the workplace—subject to an employee’s approved religious or medical accommodation. Employees who did not provide their employer with proof of vaccination were prohibited from entering the workplace, with very limited exceptions. More ›

The 12 days of California Labor & Employment Series – Day 6: Employer COVID-19 Reporting Modifications

December 16, 2021 by Mellissa A. Schafer

In the spirit of the season, we are using our annual "12 days of the holidays" blog series to address new California laws and their impact on California employers. On this sixth day of the holidays, my labor and employment attorney gave to me: six geese-a-laying and AB 654. More ›

Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Do Not Include Political, Social, Economic Beliefs, According to EEOC

November 24, 2021 by Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

On November 5, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). It required employers of 100 or more employees to institute mandates requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19—or require weekly testing of its employees. That same day, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) similarly issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) requiring the workforces of Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order for Medicare and Medicaid facilities to continue participation in those programs. Many employers have also instituted COVID-19 vaccination mandates for their employees separate from OSHA’s ETS and CMS’s IFR. More ›

Florida Governor DeSantis Wants Florida Legislature to Pass Law Against Federal Vaccine Mandates

October 21, 2021 by Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

At a press conference on October 21, 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called on the Florida legislature to pass a law combating federal vaccine mandates. He also called on the legislature to hold a special legislative session to pass such a law, instead of waiting until the legislature resumes its normal session next year. Governor DeSantis believes legislation is necessary because an executive order against employer vaccine mandates may not be sufficient. More ›

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Issues Executive Order Prohibiting Mandatory Vaccination Policies

October 13, 2021 by Kyle A. Ferachi

This week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott handed out the nation's most extensive ban against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies. Executive Order No. GA-40 prohibits any Texas employer from issuing COVID-19 mandates for employees or consumers. Specifically, the Order disallows any "entity" from compelling receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine for persons – employees or consumers – "who object to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID-19." More ›

Reacting to COVID-19 Delta Variant Outbreaks, OSHA Issues Updated Guidance

August 17, 2021 by Tom H. Luetkemeyer

The Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) issued updated guidance on August 13, 2021, to assist employers in protecting workers who are unvaccinated or otherwise at risk of contracting the virus. The guidance consists primarily of recommendations and seeks to align its approach with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). CDC and OSHA guidance interact, but Employers have a specific legal obligation under OSHA to provide a safe and healthy workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. More ›

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