On Friday, Jan. 13, 2022, a New York State Supreme Court Judge for Onondaga County struck down the New York State Department of Health regulation mandating certain healthcare professionals be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, declaring the regulation to be “null, void, and of no effect.” (Medical Professionals for Informed Consent, et. al. v. Bassett, et al.)
New York Department of Health Revises the COVID-19 Return-to-Work Protocols
On Nov. 30, 2022, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) updated its Advisory on Return-to-Work Protocols for Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to Sars-CoV-2.
California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Extended Until Year End with Potential Grants
California has extended COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) through Dec. 31, 2022. On Sept. 29, 2022, California’s Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 152 which amends the existing SPSL law and provides for state grants to certain employers.
CDC’S COVID-19 Guidance Changes…Again
Since March 2020, COVID-19 rules have been confusing at best. On Aug. 11, 2022, in an effort to streamline the guidance and reflect the current state of the pandemic, the CDC once again issued updated guidance.
EEOC Updates Its COVID-19 Guidance to Reflect Current State of COVID-19 in the U.S.
As the pandemic continues to evolve, so does the EEOC’s guidance. On July 12, 2022, the EEOC once again updated its COVID-19 guidance: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws to reflect the pandemic’s changing state
Philadelphia Enacts COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
On Mar. 10, 2022, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a new ordinance expanding COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) until 2023.
Massachusetts Ends COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave
The Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program will end on March 15, 2022, the state has announced.
San Francisco OLSE Updates Guidance Regarding Paid Sick Leave and COVID-19
While many employers are concerned with complying with the recently passed statewide COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, employers should also be aware of the interactions between regular paid sick leave and COVID-19 related absences.
CDC Relaxes Mask Recommendations
In response to requests across the country, and following a number of states who have relaxed or removed their mask requirements, CDC has relaxed its mask recommendations.
Nationwide Injunction on COVID-19 Vaccine for Federal Contractors Applies to Vaccine Requirement Only
The federal court that issued a nationwide injunction of Executive Order (EO) 14042, “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors,” has issued a new Order stating that it enjoined only the vaccine requirement of the EO’s implementing tool: the Safer Federal Taskforce (Safer Taskforce) Guidance.
OSHA Withdraws Vaccine-Or-Test Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19
D.C.’s new “COVID Vaccination Leave Temporary Amendment Act of 2021” (Temporary Act) will extend employees’ entitlement to paid time off for both COVID-19 vaccination and recovery from any side effects well into 2022.
At-Home COVID-19 Testing Options and Alternatives
In fulfillment of President Biden’s promise to make at-home COVID tests more available for all of us, two significant action steps have now occurred
D.C. Employees to Get Paid Leave for COVID-19 Vaccines Well into 2022
D.C.’s new “COVID Vaccination Leave Temporary Amendment Act of 2021” (Temporary Act) will extend employees’ entitlement to paid time off for both COVID-19 vaccination and recovery from any side effects well into 2022.
U.S. Supreme Court Turns Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services COVID-19 Vaccine Rules Back On
Accordingly, CMS can enforce in the 24 states that had been subject to the injunctions reviewed by the Court its interim final rule requiring many Medicare and Medicaid providers to ensure that their covered staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.
U.S. Supreme Court Puts OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine-Or-Test ETS Back on Ice
In a 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has granted a temporary stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).
Sixth Circuit Dissolves Stay of OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine ETS
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has lifted the Fifth Circuit’s stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccination and testing for employers with at least 100 employees.
Is COVID-19 a Disability? EEOC Provides Updated Guidance
On Dec. 14, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) added a new section, COVID-19 and the Definition of “Disability” Under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act, to its COVID-19 guidance.
Philadelphia Mandates COVID Vaccine for All City Workers
On Nov. 19, 2021, the City of Philadelphia announced all City workers must “complete a full schedule of COVID-19 vaccination(s)” by Jan. 14, 2022, or risk losing their jobs.
Florida Legislature Passes New COVID-19 Workplace Laws
During a special session to consider what Governor Ron DeSantis called his “Keep Florida Free” agenda, the Florida Legislature passed several vaccine measures, some of which conflict with recently implemented federal rules, that affect the workplace.
Fate of OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine ETS in the Hands of Sixth Circuit Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has won the much-anticipated Multi-District Litigation lottery and will get to decide the merits of the challenges to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccine Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).