Safety/Health

OSHA nets $2.5 million in coronavirus penalties

11/12/2020

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations arising from 179 inspections for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $2,496,768.

Coronavirus cancels this year’s holiday party plans

11/10/2020

One year after nearly 76% of companies planned to hold holiday parties, just 23% are planning a year-end celebration this year, and 74% of those will be virtual events, according to a new survey by the Challenger, Gray & Christmas outplacement firm.

8 questions office managers must address before return-to-work

11/07/2020

Before a possible influx of employees back into the office, make sure you’ve begun to explore solutions to the following dilemmas.

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