COVID-19

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According to the Society for Human Resources (“SHRM”), child care shortages and concerns are complicating a return to the workplace for many parents as the coronavirus continues to spread and options remain unclear for schools, camps and day cares. There are no easy solutions on the horizon for these parents or the companies that employ them. Parents of younger children in particular are more stressed and are being torn in different directions. Single parents, predominantly women, are even more severely impacted. …
Continue Reading The Daycare Dilemma: Employers and Employees Alike Challenged with Summer Camp Closures and the Uncertainty of the Next School Year

While employers may require testing for COVID-19 before employees return to work, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has confirmed that employers are prohibited from requiring antibody testing before allowing employees back into the workplace.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) allows employers to inquire into an employee’s disability and conduct mandatory medical tests of…

As states begin to reopen their economies following months of shutdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are wrestling with challenging questions about how to bring their employees back in a safe and responsible manner.

New guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) provides some insight about what employers can and cannot do in connection with bringing certain vulnerable employees back to the workplace.

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Continue Reading EEOC Offers Guidance for Accommodating Older Workers and Pregnant Employees in Return to Work Following Pandemic-Related Closures

In mid-March the work world as we know it changed due to the COVID-19 emergency orders.   Many employers were forced to make immediate decisions about things previously unknown to them like furloughs, wage reductions, providing Personal Protective Equipment, applying for loans to cover payroll, and ensuring the safety of essential workers.  Now the focus is on return to work plans and providing a safe place for employees, customers, and vendors in order to return to something as close as possible to “business as usual.”
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Continue Reading Post-COVID-19 Employment Litigation is Coming: How Can Employers Avoid It?

As more businesses begin to re-open their doors and consider ways to provide a safe environment for their employees in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers may find that many of their employees are facing new and unprecedented challenges.  These challenges frequently come at a cost.  In order to provide employees with assistance, and encourage them to return to work despite these additional costs, employers may want to consider offering tax-free “qualified disaster relief payments” to employees.
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Continue Reading A Win-Win for Employers and Employees: The Benefits of Tax-Free Qualified Disaster Relief Payments in Connection with COVID-19

Last week, Massachusetts Governor, Charlie Baker announced a four-phase reopening strategy for the Commonwealth. Each of the four phases (called “Start,” “Cautious,” “Vigilant,” and “New Normal”) will see gradual reopening of additional industries with lessening restrictions as warranted by data on testing, new cases, and deaths attributable to COVID-19.
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Continue Reading Massachusetts Announces Plans for First Phase of Reopening

Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #40 (the “Order’) provides guidance on whether a cloth covering or face mask (“mask”) is required in all New Hampshire workplaces and under what conditions, if any, an employer may allow an employee to work without a mask or face covering while at work.  The Order was issued on May 1, 2020 and remains in effect until May 31, 2020.  It applies to all businesses and organizations deemed “essential” and that remained open during the Governor’s “Stay at Home” orders, and also  to those businesses and organizations that are reopening all, or a portion, of their operations.
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Continue Reading Mask and Face Covering Requirements in New Hampshire Workplaces

On May 1, 2020, Governor Sununu issued Emergency Order #40 to facilitate and guide the reopening of the State in phases.  Referred to as Stay At Home 2.0, Emergency Order #40 sets forth mandatory requirements for those businesses that were considered to be “essential” and that therefore have remained open, as well as for those that are scheduled to reopen all or a portion of their operations in the coming weeks.
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Continue Reading NH Healthcare Providers Receive Roadmap for Remaining Open and Reopening Workplaces