By now, employers are well-informed that employees with underlying health conditions are at greater risk for developing serious medical complications if they contract COVID-19, and that these employees’ medical conditions might warrant accommodations when returning to work under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and state anti-discrimination laws. Employers need to be prepared when their doors re-open to accommodate these employees and implement policy to safeguard their operations from potential lawsuits.
Restaurant Litigation – Is This A Trend?
McDonald’s employees in Chicago and Los Angeles have sued over unsafe, COVID-19-related working conditions, claiming the burger giant failed to mandate OSHA/CDC social distancing guidelines and advise employees when their coworkers were diagnosed with the virus.
Federal Reserve Board Further Expands Main Street Lending Program
On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve established the Main Street Lending Program (the “Program”) to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in good financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Return to Work Series: Employers Should Plan Proactively to Address the Increased Risk of COVID-Related Claims Under The Conscientious Employee Protection Act
Employers first became aware of COVID-19’s ultimately tragic arrival in New Jersey just before the start of Spring. And, as the leaves unfurled from the trees throughout late March and early April 2020, so unfurled a forest of new laws that governs the movements of individuals and the functions of businesses in a way most New Jerseyans have never seen before.
Schools May Conduct In-Person Summer Learning: The Latest Guidance from the DOE
The Department of Education has released guidance1 for schools to conduct summer educational programing, including in-person instruction, which can begin on or after July 6, 2020.
New Jersey Lifts Stay-At-Home Order as Non-Essential Businesses are Primed to Reopen
On June 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced he would lift Executive Order 107 signed on March 21, 2020, which placed unprecedented restrictions on non-essential businesses in New Jersey because of the COVID 19 pandemic.
NJ Lifts Stay-At-Home Order: What Does it Mean for Graduation?
On June 9, 2020, Governor Murphy announced that the State of New Jersey would begin to lift the limitations on outdoor social gatherings. Effective immediately, outdoor gatherings may include up to 100 people.
COVID-19 CARES Act Updates – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
On May 22, 2020, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released two interim rules regarding (i) the forgiveness process of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), and (ii) the SBA’s process for reviewing loan applications and loan forgiveness applications, as well as the responsibilities of borrowers and lenders (collectively, the “Interim Rules”).
COVID-19 CARES Act Updates – Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA)
On June 5, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA). The PPPFA makes changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established under the CARES Act (signed into law on March 27, 2020).
The Return to Work Series: “The Road Back” for Stage 2 and Federal Paid Leave Considerations
On June 8, 2020, New York City will enter “Phase 1” of the State of New York’s Reopening Plan, which could result in upwards of 400,000 individuals returning to work in the City. Similar reopening plans in New Jersey and Massachusetts have begun to hit the first of several criteria in their respective Reopening Plans.