The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) revised its April 1, 2020 regulations about who qualifies for emergency sick leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) after parts of its prior regulations were struck down by a New York federal court on August 3, 2020 (see earlier blog post). The NY court struck
On September 14, 2020, Ohio passed and the Governor signed House Bill 606, which provides qualified immunity to healthcare providers and employers who are accused of spreading COVID-19. It will become effective on December 13, 2020 (90 days after signed into law).
Section 1 of the law provides qualified immunity to healthcare providers providing services
The EEOC updated its Q&As on COVID-19 and the pandemic in light of the ADA and Rehabilitation Act. The highlights are as follows:
On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum allowing employees to have a tax “holiday” deferring the normal employee payroll tax withholding for social security (6.2% of wages) from September 1-December 31, 2020. This was designed to provide a much needed boost to employees in their take-home pay. Unfortunately, it comes with a
A New York federal judge struck down or limited several of the Department of Labor (DOL)’s restrictions on federal COVID-19 paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA): (1) work availability requirement, (2) healthcare worker exemption, (3) intermittent leave employer consent, and (4) requirement to submit documentation before taking leave.
Work availability requirement
Governor DeWine signed an executive order on June 16, 2020 that provides exceptions to the general rule that employees may not refuse to return to the workplace following a COVID-19 pandemic layoff or work-at-home situation. Employees with “good cause” may remain at home and refuse to work and still receive unemployment benefits. Good cause includes:
OSHA released a guide to nonessential businesses on safely returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses should review this guidance, keeping in mind that businesses have a duty under OSHA’s general duty clause to keep employee’s safe. Following this guidance could operate as a defense to an employee safety complaint related to COVID-19 protections.
Don’ts:
Some businesses are considering limiting their liability from COVID-19 infections in their facilities and workplaces through liability waivers for employees, guests, and other visitors. Are they a good idea? Probably not. Here’s why.
Employee waivers
Employer return-to-work COVID-19 waivers are problematic for a variety of reasons, most notably, the fact that they are likely an
Governor DeWine expanded Ohio’s responsible restart program and added several categories of businesses to the list of businesses that may reopen beginning June 10th: