The DOL issued new guidance to the states for implementation of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) under the CARES Act. In doing so, the DOL answered a number of questions about who is eligible for benefits, how claims can be filed, how are benefits are calculated, and, importantly, what happens when you call workers back to … Read more
Trying to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19, most colleges and universities have closed their campuses to students. Enrolled students who were once living and learning among their peers, attending in-person lectures from professors and accessing schools’ state-of-the art facilities, are now learning remotely. Many colleges and universities have reimbursed students for … Read more
In a recent Legal Line post, we blogged about how business interruption insurance might be a source of reimbursement for lost revenues caused by COVID-19. We noted that insurance companies were intent on fighting the claims relying on exclusions and non-coverage arguments. As the global pandemic continues, the debate over business interruption coverage continues, playing … Read more
Today, the EEOC issued additional technical guidance on dealing with Covid19 in the workplace. This guidance largely restates what the EEOC issued on April 17, but with an added Q and A that clarifies how employers may require Covid19 testing for employees in the work place, and justifying such testing “because an individual with the … Read more
Businesses are trying to find ways to stay afloat during the slow downs and closures caused by COVID-19. Many are appropriately looking to their insurance policies to determine if they might provide coverage. General liability policies typically provide defense and indemnity for claims alleging that the business caused some type of injury to an individual … Read more
One acted swiftly and thoughtfully, the other acted slowly and clumsily. That is the difference between New Hampshire and Massachusetts when developing eviction and foreclosure bans. Both are now in effect, giving at least a measure of protection for some people in both states, but improvements can be made to protect more people now to … Read more
Recent EEOC guidance from April 17, 2020 provided additional information about providing reasonable accommodations for disabilities, addressing harassment, and returning employees to wor k in the era of COVID-9. This EEOC guidance provides critical insights for employers to be sure they are complying with anti-discrimination laws enforced by the EEOC, including for example the Americans … Read more
After passing a $2 Trillion package in March, on April 21, 2020, the Senate unanimously passed another bill (the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act) which provides almost $500 Billion in new funding for COVID-19 related relief. The vast majority of the money appropriated in the bill will go to small businesses hit … Read more
Less than a month after Hooters laid off over 700 workers in Florida, two of those laid off filed an action in federal court seeking class certification and damages for an alleged failure to comply with the WARN Act. While the suit has questionable legal basis, it should raise concerns about the legal landscape for … Read more
The EEOC has published updated guidance on managing your workforce during the COVID19 pandemic. In a revised set of FAQs, the EEOC covered a number of issues, such as: Can you require sick employees to stay at home? (Yes) Can you require a doctor’s note? (Yes, but you may need to be flexible on this … Read more