Jennifer Parent

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This post was updated on 6/2/2020.

In light of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which will go into effect on April 1, 2020, companies should consider implementing a new paid sick leave policy.   Below, for reference only, is a sample policy to consider.   Any new paid sick leave policy should be tailored to each particular workplace, and this policy is not intended to serve as, or to replace, legal advice on this important subject.

SAMPLE Emergency Paid Sick Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Policy:

In light of the COVID-19 epidemic, the recently-implemented federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), and our Company’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees and other members of the community, the Company has adopted this temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave (“EPSL”) Policy (the “Policy”).  Under the Policy, employees may take a paid leave of absence, up to a maximum of two weeks of paid sick leave in addition to other paid leave provided by the Company to the employee, subject to the terms and conditions outlined below.Continue Reading Sample Emergency Paid Sick Leave Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act Policy

On March 18, 2020, the President signed into law The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  This new federal law includes the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act.  Updated guidance on the FFCRA is available from the U.S. Department of Labor at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic.

Q:  What paid leave benefits are required under the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act?

A:  Paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave related to COVID-19.Continue Reading Q&A – Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 18, 2020, the President signed into law The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”.  This new federal law will provide employees with emergency paid family leave and paid sick leave related to COVID-19.

These paid leave laws apply to all employers with fewer than 500 employees. The laws take effect on April 1st and expire on December 31, 2020.  The Secretary of Labor is expected to issue guidelines to assist employers in complying with these new legal requirements in the coming weeks.Continue Reading EMERGENCY PAID LEAVE RELATED TO COVID-19 SIGNED INTO LAW AND TAKES EFFECT APRIL 1, 2020

In an opinion letter dated April 29, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) explained that some service providers working for a virtual marketplace company (VMC) are independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).   This opinion letter identifies the test the DOL is expected to use when considering the classification of workers…

Photo: Beatrice Murch via Flickr (CC by 2.0)

The US Supreme Court recently announced it accepted three cases that will determine the scope of “sex” discrimination under federal law.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees on the…

Photo: Beatrice Murch via Flickr (CC by 2.0)

In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court has held that employers may enforce arbitration agreements signed by employees that bar class-action lawsuits and require individualized arbitration. In so holding, the Court found that the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) instructs courts to enforce the terms of arbitration agreements, including terms requiring one-on-one arbitration proceedings.  It also found that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) says nothing about how legal disputes must be resolved.  “Far from conflicting, the Arbitration Act and the NLRA have long enjoyed separate spheres of influence and neither permits this Court to declare the parties’ agreements unlawful,” wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch for the majority.Continue Reading Employers Get Green Light for One-on-One Arbitration Clauses in Employment Agreements

Photo Credit: smlp.co.uk via Flickr (CC by 2.0)
Photo Credit: smlp.co.uk via Flickr (CC by 2.0)

In October, the EEOC unveiled its four year Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP).  The SEP provides employers insight into areas the EEOC plans to focus on in the coming years.  This heads-up plan allows companies to take steps to ensure their businesses are

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Photo: Jason Lawrence via Flickr (CC by 2.0)
Photo: Jason Lawrence via Flickr (CC by 2.0)

Upon a motion for preliminary approval of the class-action settlement for $100 million, a federal court found that the settlement between Uber and drivers in two states was “not fair, adequate and reasonable” and denied approval.  It ordered the parties to confer about…