With a difficult 2020 nearing its end, if Connecticut Paid FMLA has recently reappeared on your radar, don’t fret! Simply review these basics to prepare for this upcoming change.
Michigan’s Patchwork of COVID-19 Laws & Orders For Employers
As previously reported, on Oct. 2, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court invalidated post-Apr. 30, 2020 Executive Orders that Governor Whitmer issued related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate…That Is The Question
As we enter flu season (in the midst of a national spike in COVID-19 cases), and it now appears that a COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon, employers are struggling with whether they should require employees to be vaccinated for seasonal influenza and/or COVID-19 infection.
Colorado Voters Approve Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative
Colorado voters approved the Paid Medical and Family Leave (PMFL) Initiative, Proposition 118, on Election Day. PMFL creates a state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program in Colorado that allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave and keep their job.
California Employers Cannot Forget Local Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Yet
In September, when Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1867, employers hoped that the state-wide COVID-19 Supplemental Leave was a replacement for the patchwork of local ordinances. However, due to differences in coverage, many employers are faced with complying with the more stringent local ordinances.
Request For Medical Examination Was Permissible Under ADA After Positive Drug Test Result
A federal court in Indiana dismissed an employee’s claim that his employer did not have the right to request a medical examination after he tested positive for drugs and subsequently admitted that he was taking numerous prescription medications that could create a safety risk.
CDC Guidance on “Close Contact” Is Expanded
Just when you thought you had your contact tracing protocol down for dealing with COVID-19 exposures, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance has changed again.
California’s Governor Signs Several Bills Causing Bold Changes to Employee Leaves
California wrapped up its 2020 Legislative Session with the Governor passing several bills that bring dramatic changes to employee leave requirements.
Amendments to New York City Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law Effective
On Sep. 23, 2020, the New York City Council enacted Int. No 2032-A, and Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill on Sep. 28, 2020.
Maine Labor Department Releases Final Rules for Earned Paid Leave Law
As the Jan. 1, 2021, effective date of Maine’s Earned Paid Employee Leave Law approaches, the state Department of Labor (DOL) has promulgated the much-anticipated final regulations for implementing the statute.
New California Law Significantly Expands Employee Entitlement to Family and Medical Leave
California employers with as few as five employees must provide family and medical leave rights to their employees under a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sep. 17, 2020. The new law significantly expands the state’s existing family and medical leave entitlements and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
2020 DMEC Return to the Workplace Pulse Survey Results
From July 28 through Aug. 5, 2020, DMEC gathered feedback through an online survey on how organizations are approaching efforts to return employees to the workplace amid the COVID-19 pandemic. … Read More
Do Employers Still Need to Provide Time to Vote in California?
In light of new executive orders to ensure wide availability of voting options in California, employers may question if they still are required to provide time during the workday for their employees to vote.
School’s Back (Or Is It)! When Can Your Employees Take FFCRA Leave?
For many, the start of school looks different this year: from all virtual, to hybrid, to parent’s choice. Employers required to provide leave under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) may be wondering how to administer FFCRA leave under this new regime.
Washington Governor Creates COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program
Under the Washington COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program, no food production employer in Washington may operate from Aug. 18, 2020, to Nov. 13, 2020, unless the employer provides its workers with paid leave for certain qualifying events.
Puerto Rico Working Mothers Act Amended to Provide Additional Adoption Leave for Working Mothers
On Aug. 8, 2020, Wanda Vázquez Garced signed into law an amendment to the Puerto Rico Working Mothers Act.
New Georgia Legislation Requires Employers to Provide Paid Lactation Breaks
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed new legislation requiring employers to provide paid lactation breaks and private locations at the worksite where working mothers can express breast milk.
EEOC Issues Guidance on Opioid Addiction in Employment
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued two technical assistance documents on Aug. 5, 2020, addressing accommodation issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for employees who use opioid medications or may be addicted to opioids.
New York District Court Vacates Parts of FFCRA Regulations Including Healthcare Provider Definition
Shortly after the Department of Labor issued its FFCRA regulations, the state of New York filed a lawsuit challenging some of the provisions. Today (four months after the regulations went into effect, and just five months before the FFCRA is set to expire), the federal district court in New York struck down four provisions in the regulations.
DOL Issues Additional Clarification on FMLA, FFCRA, FLSA in COVID-19 Context
The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently issued additional clarification on its FAQs and guidance regarding the FMLA and the FFCRA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some highlights include: