Maintaining a Respectful Workplace Post-COVID
While some organizations have been on site through the pandemic, others have returned in recent months. Many others are planning a more robust employee return to office in the coming weeks. As more employees return to work in the office, employers may need to reestablish and remind employees about expectations of workplace conduct to foster […]
Increased Fines for Not Posting Employment Posters
The federal government recently increased the fines employers may face for violating federal employment law posting requirements. Going forward, the potential posting fines are: Family and Medical Leave Act – $178 Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law – $13,653 Employee Polygraph Protection Act – $21,663 EEO is the Law – $576 Employers should also […]
Long Awaited OSHA Guidance to Continue Workplace Health and Safety Measures
On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) with a very narrow scope, focused on the healthcare industry. Fortunately, OSHA also updated its January 29, 2021 guidance for all employers to reflect the increasing prevalence of vaccinations and the lifting of mask orders around the country. […]
Amended Dane County Public Health Emergency Order #14
Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) issued an Amended Emergency Order #14 on March 18, 2021. It is effective immediately. The Amended Emergency Order adds a new section on fully vaccinated individuals. The order defines “fully vaccinated” as two weeks after the second dose from a 2-dose vaccine, e.g. Pfizer-BioNTech’s or Moderna’s vaccine, or […]
Twelve Months Later: How Has Your Organization Evolved?
The past 12 months have been a time like no other, forcing organizations to pivot quickly to accommodate a new reality. Now is the time to review handbook policies and internal processes that may have been revised on the fly in response to changing circumstances. You can start by reviewing the ways your organization has […]
Dane County Public Health Emergency Order #14
Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) has issued a new public health order, Emergency Order #14, effective March 10, 2021. The new order includes significant changes to the indoor and outdoor capacity limits for gatherings, restaurants, taverns, and sporting events. The order also modifies the protective measure policy required for schools. The primary changes […]
OSHA Recommends Measures to Reduce Workplace Spread of COVID-19
Responding to a directive from the Biden administration, OSHA posted new guidance on January 29, 2021 to help non-healthcare employers identify COVID-19 risks and implement effective measures to minimize its spread in the workplace. The guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It is advisory in nature, containing […]
Biden Administration Impact on the Workplace
Just one week into his administration, President Biden has signaled that he will take a fresh look at current issues affecting American workers and workplaces. His recent executive orders and memoranda include the following actions: Halt Final Rules governing tip pools and independent contractors: This Executive memorandum stays pending final rules that have been published […]
New CDC Guidance Requires Informed Consent for Workplace COVID-19 Testing
On January 21, 2021, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued new guidance for non-healthcare employers who conduct workplace COVID-19 testing. While the CDC previously confirmed that workplace testing is permissible as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing virus transmission, the new guidance clarifies that it should not be conducted without employees’ informed […]
CDC Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantine
On December 2, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on how long a person should quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19. “Quarantine” keeps someone who has been in close contact with a known COVID-19 case away from others to prevent the spread of the virus. The CDC’s current […]
