Safety/Health

Unions seek binding OSHA coronavirus rules

11/05/2020

Unions have filed two lawsuits seeking to compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to develop mandatory pandemic-related workplace safety standards. OSHA is pushing back, maintaining that current safety standards and practices do enough to protect frontline workers.

NLRB clarifies obligations during pandemic

10/29/2020

Several recent cases before the National Labor Relations Board show that the National Labor Relations Act most definitely affects employer obligations during the coronavirus pandemic. Remember, the NLRA covers all employers, not just those that employ union members.

CDC covid guidance could spike absenteeism

10/29/2020

New coronavirus guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could trigger a fresh wave of absences by employees who must self-quarantine, according to employment lawyer Jon Hyman of Meyers Roman in Cleveland.

Watch out! You could be liable for at-home workers’ comp injuries

10/27/2020

Telecommuting plans hatched this spring were understandably ad hoc. Now it’s time to formally assess some of the employment law risks. That includes addressing workers’ compensation-qualifying injuries that occur at employees’ homes.

OSHA on a roll, penalizing 85 covid violators

10/22/2020

Since March, OSHA has fined and sanctioned 85 companies for covid-related safety and health violations. Total cost to employers so far: more than $1.2 million.

Coronavirus and employment law: 8 new answers for HR

10/15/2020

As employers have asked for clarity on some finer points of the EEOC’s COVID-related rules, the EEOC recently issued a new round of guidance. Here are eight highlights.

Restarting business travel? Plan for COVID hurdles

10/15/2020

Business travel during the pandemic is complicated and carries several restrictions and employment law considerations.

‘Take home’ coronavirus suits bring new risk

10/08/2020

When employees contract covid-19 at work, their illnesses or deaths are usually covered by a state workers’ compensation system. But an employer can end up paying millions of dollars if a jury concludes a relative contracted covid-19 from a worker who got sick because the employer wasn’t following workplace safety precautions.

Returning to work & rethinking the workplace: Survey your employees with these 12 questions

10/02/2020

As organizations welcome employees back into the workplace during the pandemic, many are using return-to-work surveys to gauge their employees’ hopes and fears—and help plan for the future look of their workplace.

When vaccine is out, can you (should you) require it?

09/17/2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EEOC issued guidance that addressed this question.