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Posts Tagged ‘Coronavirus’

Biden Administration Announces Public Vaccine Mandates That Require Action by Large Private Employers, Federal Contractors, and Healthcare Employers

September 15, 2021 Leave a comment

 

MLM Headshot Photo 2019 (M1341570xB1386)  AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)

By: Matthew Mitchell & Amanda Thibodeau

On September 9, 2021, the Biden Administration announced the Path Out of the Pandemic – a strategic plan to respond to the continued spread of COVID-19 (the “Plan”). In general, the Plan outlines a broad-brush approach to combating the continued ill-effects of the pandemic, including:

  • Strategies to increase vaccination rates;
  • Strategies to maintain school operations;
  • Strategies to implement additional safety regulations; and
  • Strategies to implement additional economic stimulus programs.

The widely reported-on, cornerstone of the Plan is a mandate that, when implemented, will require large employers, federal contractors, and healthcare employers to adopt mandatory vaccination policies for their employees (the “Vaccine Mandate”).

The basic elements of the Vaccine Mandate can be found in our COVID-19 Alert

 

DOL Updates FAQs on FFCRA Leave as a New School Year Approaches

August 28, 2020 Leave a comment

By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

This week the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) updated its Frequently Asked Questions (See Questions #98-100) on leave eligibility under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), in anticipation of a significant shift to remote school programs across the U.S. As a new school year approaches, employers should familiarize themselves with this new development as they begin to field new requests for FFCRA leave from their employees.

The DOL addressed how the FFCRA applies to several school program scenarios including fully remote programs, hybrid arrangements, and what happens if a parent chooses a remote option over in-person schooling.

The DOL clarified that if a school does not permit the child to attend school in-person and is instead only permitting remote learning, the school is effectively “closed” for purposes of the FFCRA, and the parent may take leave to care for the child. Likewise, if a school is operating on a hybrid basis with some days in-person and other days remote, the FFCRA leave would apply to those remote days where the child is not permitted in school. This would effectively allow an employee to be eligible for FFCRA leave on an intermittent basis.

If a school is offering in-person attendance (either fully in-person or on a hybrid basis), but a parent elects to keep the child home and engage in remote learning, the parent would not qualify for FFCRA leave. The DOL reasons that because the school is open for in-person learning, it would not be covered under the regulations. If, however, the child is home on a remote basis because of another COVID-19-related reason, such as a quarantine order from a health professional, then the parent may be eligible for FFCRA leave.

It is important to note that when evaluating such leave requests, the employee must still supply certain information, including the child’s name (who is under the age of 14), the name of the school that is closed, and that there is no other suitable person available to care for the child. It is unlikely, then, that both parents of a child engaged in remote learning would qualify for FFCRA leave. And, of course, employers should continue to keep such written documentation in order to take advantage of the available tax credit.

See our complete COVID-19 Resource Collection for additional information, or contact a member of the Morse Employment Team.

President Issues New Executive Order on Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

August 13, 2020 Leave a comment

By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued four executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  One of the President’s executive orders  (the “EO”) directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to begin paying additional unemployment benefits from the Department of Homeland Security’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) at a rate of $400 per week on top of regular unemployment benefits. The enhanced unemployment benefits will be retroactive to August 1, 2020 and will continue until December 6, 2020 – or until the balance of the DRF drops to $25 billion – whichever happens first. According to the EO, there is currently about $70 billion in the DRF.

The DRF will cover $300 of the $400 weekly enhanced benefit – with states picking up the additional $100 per week from funds allocated to them from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) (created from the CARES Act).

Like the original benefits provided under the CARES Act, unemployed workers will be eligible for the new $400 per week if they otherwise qualify for regular unemployment compensation, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) under the CARES Act, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) under the CARES Act, Extended Benefits, Short-Time Compensation, or several other discrete programs. However, unlike the previous Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits, the EO disqualifies workers receiving less than $100 per week in unemployment benefits. Under the FPUC, workers who received at least $1 in unemployment benefits qualified for the additional $600 per week.

It is unclear when workers may see these enhanced unemployment benefits. While the EO makes clear that workers will be eligible for the enhanced benefits beginning the week ending August 1, 2020 (the FPUC benefits ended July 31, 2020), states will need time to get the new system set up and to receive funding. Once up and running, eligible workers will collect retroactive benefits, but that could be a matter of weeks, or months, in some cases. Like regular unemployment benefits, workers will apply through their individual state’s unemployment office and be subject to that state’s unemployment program requirements, such as any work search criteria.

There is also speculation that the President’s EO may be challenged on constitutional grounds. The EO invokes the President’s powers under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; however, constitutional scholars debate whether the invoked section can be used to fund unemployment benefits in this manner without the specific authorization of Congress. For now, however, eligible workers should continue to apply for their regular unemployment benefits through their state and comply with any state-specific eligibility requirements to remain qualified for the enhanced benefits.

See our complete COVID-19 Resource Collection.

OSHA Publishes Guidance on Returning to Work

June 26, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

On June 18, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published Guidance on Returning to Work (the “Guide”). The Guide, just as with other recent COVID-19-related OSHA publications, was published as recommendations meant to assist employers, and does not impose new regulations or standards.

The Guide supplements OSHA’s previously published Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, and expands on the three-phased re-opening approach articulated in the White House’s Opening Up America Again:

  • Phase 1: Businesses should encourage telework where feasible. Where not feasible, businesses should consider limiting the number of people in the workplace to maintain proper social distancing. Flexibilities and accommodations for employees who are at high-risk of contracting the virus should be considered.
  • Phase 2: Businesses should continue to allow telework but can begin to ease up on social distancing protocols at the workplace.
  • Phase 3: Businesses may resume without restrictions at the workplaces.

The Guide then identifies nine key areas employers should assess when creating their re-opening plans, and provides examples to guide employers in each area:

  • Hazard assessment
  • Hygiene
  • Social distancing
  • Identification and isolation of sick employees
  • Return to work after illness or exposure
  • Controls
  • Workplace flexibilities
  • Training
  • Anti-retaliation

The Guide is not meant to cover every scenario or to provide the only solution to the various challenges that businesses may encounter when re-opening. Employers reviewing the Guide should keep in mind that that the Guide provides recommendations that should be read in the context of local re-opening regulations and recommendations from the CDC. It is important to keep up-to-date with the state and local orders and implement those directives within this framework provided by OSHA.

For more information, please contact Amanda Thibodeau.

OSHA Publishes FAQs on Face Coverings in the Workplace

June 17, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published additional recommendations in the form of FAQs related to the use of face masks in the workplace. The new guidance covers the differences between PPE, cloth face masks, and surgical masks, and what the current OSHA regulations require of employers. OSHA clarifies that the new FAQs do not place new regulatory burdens on employers, but are instead provided to assist employers in providing a safe workplace under current regulations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with “a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” This generally requires employers to adopt strategies and other control measures to protect their workers from known hazards. While cloth face coverings are encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), current OSHA regulations do not require cloth face coverings. However, OSHA does have regulations and standards on when PPE is required or recommended. It also notes that cloth face coverings or even surgical face masks are not a substitute for PPE, such as N95 masks, under OSHA’s PPE standards.

OSHA’s FAQs detail the differences between cloth face coverings, surgical masks, and respirators, and the merits and protections of each. OSHA recommends that even though cloth face coverings are not required under its regulations, employers may choose to adopt such a policy as a control measure, and OSHA does encourage their use. OSHA notes, however, that whether an employer chooses to require or encourage masks will be highly dependent on the specific circumstances of each worker, workspace, and work requirements. In some instances, the wearing of a face covering may increase other hazards, and employers should be cognizant of evaluating such risks when forming any policies on face coverings. OSHA also emphasized that face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing measures, and employers must still adopt such strategies with or without face coverings.

OSHA additionally made clear that for industries or situations where respirators and other PPE are required by the presence of applicable workplace hazards, the regulations require that employers attempt other mitigation and control strategies before requiring respirators – but when respirators cannot be obtained due to supply issues (or other unavailability), employers cannot substitute cloth or surgical masks. For example, where asbestos is present and creates an imminent danger to the worker, the employer must attempt other control issues (engineering, administrative, and work practice controls) first. If the control measures do not eliminate the hazard and respirators are not available, the employer must delay the task, if feasible, to avoid exposing the worker to the hazardous condition.

For more information, please contact Amanda Thibodeau.

EEOC Updates COVID-19-Related Employer Guidance

June 15, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) again updated its employer guidance related to COVID-19 late last week, this time with guidance related towards warning employers against falling into traps related to age discrimination or age bias when bringing employees back to work facilities, as well as discrimination based on other factors such as race or national origin, and pregnancy and sex.

Learn about the EEOC’s specific guidance related to age discrimination, harassment and discrimination based on race or national origin, and pregnancy and sex discrimination in our COVID-19 Alert.

MA Governor Extends Non-Essential Business Closings Until May 18, 2020

April 29, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)By Amanda E. Thibodeau

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker extended his previous emergency order to close non-essential businesses and his stay-at-home advisory until May 18. His previous order closed non-essential businesses until May 4. The press release can be found here.

Along with extending the closure of non-essential businesses, the order also extends the stay-at-home advisory, urging residents to stay at home and limiting all gatherings to 10 people or less until May 18.

Governor Baker also appointed a 17-person re-opening advisory board who will plan a phased re-opening of the state. The new board is comprised of leaders from government, business, and healthcare sectors.

The Morse Employment Law team is following the latest developments related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate. You can find our complete COVID-19 resource collection here.

The Post-Quarantine Workplace: Practical Considerations Related to the Re-Call of Employees to the Worksite

April 27, 2020 Leave a comment

MLM Headshot Photo 2019 (M1341570xB1386)As employers continue to navigate unprecedented economic challenges – with possible easing of shelter-in-place and business closure orders in the coming weeks – one thing is clear: A return to normal business operations, in any short-term scenario, is unlikely. 

Employers will soon face very difficult decisions concerning the re-opening of worksite locations and the re-calling of employees. To help prepare for this eventuality, Matthew Mitchell has identified common themes and subjects employers may encounter in the  Post-Quarantine Workplace including worksite preparation, change management, government relief opportunities and employment law compliance considerations.

Read our full COVID-19 Alert for our Return-to-Work Guide.

Unemployment Options Under the Massachusetts Emergency Regulations

April 27, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)Currently, 26 million Americans have requested unemployment benefits since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Federally, the CARES Act provides new and expanded emergency options, which are being adopted and implemented by individual states. At the state level, Massachusetts has put into effect Emergency Regulations to assist both employees and employers with unemployment insurance during COVID-19 and to help implement portions of the CARES Act. For Massachusetts employers trying to put their employees in the best position to maintain wage rates, the following options and strategies are available to help:

  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
  • Furloughs and Standby Status
  • Short-Term Compensation Programs (or Work Share Programs)
  • Other Important Provisions

Amanda Thibodeau explains each of these programs and qualifying criteria in our recent COVID-19 Alert.

PPP Loan Program: Analysis of Treasury Department Interim Final Rule on Affiliation; Impact on Portfolio Companies

April 6, 2020 Leave a comment

MLM Headshot Photo 2019 (M1341570xB1386)By: Matthew L. Mitchell

On April 3, 2020, the United States Treasury Department issued “Interim Final Rules” and a related guideline concerning the Paycheck Protection Program’s “Affiliation Rule.”   The Interim Final Rule and guideline may be found here:

The instructions included in the Interim Rule and Guideline significantly limit, by application of the Affiliation Rule, the types of businesses that are eligible to apply for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program.  Of particular note:  The Interim Rule and Guideline apply the restrictions of the Affiliation Rule to start-up and emerging businesses, likely precluding many such companies from access to PPP loans funds.

The Morse Employment Law team is following this topic closely. Read our latest COVID-19 Alert for more information.

DOL Releases New Guidance for Compliance with CARES Act and FFCRA

April 3, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced new guidance to help states with administration of the new unemployment provisions part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). It also updated and added additional guidance for the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave implementation under the FFCRA.

The new unemployment guidance provides help to states in implementing the temporary emergency state staffing flexibility provision of the CARES Act. It also provides help to states in determining eligibility requirements for applicants – especially in the area of gig workers and independent contractors, who are not typically eligible for unemployment benefits. The new guidance can be found here.

The guidance added by the DOL for the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave implementation includes a webinar to help employers determine eligibility and answer other questions related to benefits and protections under the FFCRA. The DOL also added additional materials to its Questions and Answers and added more workplace posters in additional languages. You may view these new materials here.

The Morse Employment Law team is following this, and other matters related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate.

DOL Posts Temporary Rule Issuing Regulations on Families First Coronavirus Response Act

April 2, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

On April 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  In particular, the new regulations deal with implementation of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) portions of the FFCRA. The regulations are temporary and will expire December 31, 2020, and will not affect the Family Medical Leave Act beyond that date.

The new regulations shed light on several important areas of the FFCRA.
Our COVID-19 Alert addresses a few key takeaways on the following topics:

  • Self-quarantine
  • Effect on FMLA Leave and Paid Time Off Used Concurrently
  • Small Business Exemption
  • Intermittent Leave
  • Notice and Leave Documentation

The new regulations take effect immediately and contain many more details concerning the implementation of the FFCRA. Please see our previous Alert on the FFCRA for additional requirements under the new law, or reach out to our Morse Employment Law Team for help.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”)

April 1, 2020 Leave a comment

JEH Headshot Photo (M1160809xB1386)By: Joseph E. Hunt

On March 31, 2020, the Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) issued guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), one of the hallmarks of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act designed to provide up to $350 billion in short term loans to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to information provided by Treasury, while PPP loans can only be made by private lenders who are certified by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), they are fully guaranteed by the SBA. These PPP loans are made for a two-year period, and provide a 0.5% fixed interest rate with repayments deferred for six months.

An applicant business is eligible to obtain a PPP loan equal to the lesser of (a) $10 million or (b) 250% of its average total monthly payroll costs over a trailing 12-month period, as measured from the loan origination date. Loan amounts will be forgiven as tax free cancellation of indebtedness as long as (i) the loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, mortgage interest costs, rent expenses, and utility costs over an eight (8) week period beginning as of the origination date, and (ii) employee and compensation levels are maintained.

Per Treasury, the underwriting standards for eligibility are relaxed, and private lenders making PPP loans will be required to verify that the applicant business was in operation as of February 15, 2020, and that it had employees for whom it paid salaries and payroll taxes.

The application window opens on Friday, April 3, 2020 for small businesses and sole proprietorships and Friday, April 10, 2020 for independent contractors and self-employed individuals. Applications can be made through any SBA-certified private lender.

Additional resources are available on the Treasury’s website.

Morse is following this topic closely. Please feel free to reach out to your Morse contact, or to speak with Joe HuntAmanda Thibodeau, or Matt Mitchell directly, should you have any questions.

Read our latest COVID-19 Alert.

MA Governor Extends Non-Essential Business Closings Until May 4, 2020

April 1, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker extended his previous emergency order to close non-essential businesses and his stay-at-home advisory until May 4. His previous order closed non-essential businesses until April 7.

The new emergency order will take effect at noon on Wednesday, April 1. Governor Baker also extended his order limiting all gatherings to 10 people or less until May 4.

Governor Baker also updated the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list, based on new federal guidance. The new list will also go into effect on April 1 at noon. See the updated list on essential businesses.

The Morse Employment Law team is following the latest developments related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate.

DOL Issues Revised Emergency Paid Sick Leave Guidance; Limits Scope Of Small Business Exemption

March 31, 2020 Leave a comment

MLM Headshot Photo 2019 (M1341570xB1386)By: Matthew L. Mitchell

As previously reported in an earlier Employment Law Alert, the emergency paid sick leave provisions of the Federal Families First Coronavirus Act (the “FFCA”) take effect April 1, 2020.

In anticipation of that effective date, the federal Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has published a revised and expanded “Questions and Answers” Guidance (the “Guidance”) concerning the FFCA.

This guidance addresses 59 distinct subject matters that relate to the complex application of the FFCA.  Of particular note:  The Guidance defines the scope of the FFCA exemption that applies to employers with fewer than 50 employees.

The text of FFCA implies a general exemption, from the paid sick leave requirements of the FFCA, for employers with fewer than 50 employees, that are experiencing economic hardships as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.  Through the Guidance, the DOL adopts a narrowed interpretation of this small business exemption:

“A small business is exempt from certain paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave requirements if providing an employee such leave would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern. This means a small business is exempt from mandated paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave requirements only if the:

  • employer employs fewer than 50 employees;
  • leave is requested because the child’s school or place of care is closed, or child care provider is unavailable, due to COVID-19 related reasons; and
  • an authorized officer of the business has determined [certain financial exigencies exist.]”

Guidance, Q&A 59.

As such, unlike previous reports, small businesses are not broadly exempt from FFCA emergency paid leave requirements, and must provide employees with emergency paid leave benefits absent the limited exceptions described above. For example, under the Guidance, a small business is required to provide 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to an employee that is absent from work as a result of a COVID-19 related illness.

In addition to the Guidance, in the coming days, the Internal Revenue Services is expected to publish instructions related to tax credits available to employers that incur expenses related to FFCA emergency leaves.

The rules and guidelines that relate to the FFCA, and to the other federal and state coronavirus relief programs, are moving targets.  The Morse Employment Law team is following these, and other matters related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate.

Read our latest COVID-19 Alert.

DOL Releases New Fact Sheets and FAQs for Compliance with Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 25, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released its first wave of new guidance as part of its initiative to help employers implement and comply with the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“the Act”).

The DOL posted a Fact Sheet for Employees, a Fact Sheet for Employers and a Questions and Answers document on a number of compliance aspects of the Act, including how an employer counts the number of their employees to determine coverage; how small businesses can obtain an exemption; how to count hours for part-time employees; and how to calculate the wages employees are entitled to under this law.

The DOL expects to release further guidance on these topics later this week. Additional DOL guidance on COVID-19-related topics, including new workplace posters can be found here.

The Morse Employment Law team is following this, and other matters related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate.

IRS, DOL, and Treasury Issue Plan on Implementation of Payroll Tax Credit, Paid Leave and Other Employment-Related Provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 24, 2020 Leave a comment

AET Headshot Photo 2019 (M1344539xB1386)The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and U.S. Treasury Department issued a joint statement highlighting the employment-related provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“the Act”), which was signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020 (see our previous alert on this subject here).  The three departments offered a preview for small and mid-size businesses related to the implementation of these various provisions.  A summary of their highlights is below.

  • DOL plans to release regulations relating to the Act by April.  While employers are not required to comply with the Act until April 2, the DOL and IRS made clear that employers, unless exempted, may begin to provide paid leave under the Act and take advantage of the available tax credits immediately.  The anticipated regulations will provide further guidance on the sick and child care leave requirements of the Act.
  • DOL plans to release emergency guidance related to small business exemptions related to leave.  The Act provides an exemption for businesses with less than 50 employees from leave requirements related to school and daycare closings where the leave requirements would threaten the viability of the business.  The DOL plans to issue guidance with “simple and clear criteria” on the qualifications related to this exemption.
  • DOL will be issuing a temporary non-enforcement policy to allow employers to come into compliance.  Under the temporary policy, the DOL will not bring enforcement actions against employers for violations of the Act, but instead will work with employers to assist in compliance with the Act, provided the employer has acted reasonably and in good faith.
  • The IRS will be releasing guidance later this week about how employers can obtain the tax credits related to providing sick or child care leave.  In short, employers will obtain the credit by withholding the amount of money equal to the cost of leave provided from their payroll taxes, rather than depositing with the IRS.  If the amount withheld is not enough to cover the paid leave provided, employers will be able to file a request for payment on an accelerated basis, to be processed in two weeks or less.  The IRS will release further details on the procedure in their anticipated guidance.

The Morse Employment Law team is following this, and other matters related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate.

Equal Opportunity Commission Issues Updated Guidance Related to COVID-19 Preparedness for “Essential Businesses”

March 24, 2020 Leave a comment

MLM Headshot Photo 2019 (M1341570xB1386)The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”) has issued revised guidelines that define Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) compliance standards for employers operating under current COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

In general, the ADA broadly restricts business decisions that consider employee health or medical conditions.  Through the guidelines, the EEOC has temporarily suspended certain ADA restrictions in an effort to permit “Essential Businesses” – businesses that are exempted from various shelter-in-place and business restrictions order now in effect in several regions – to adopt practical strategies to maintain safe business operations.

Revised EEOC guidelines.

Several of the key concepts are below:

  • With respect to employee inquiries regarding COVID-19 symptoms: “An employer may send home an employee with COVID-19 or symptoms associated with it.  Employers may ask employees who report feeling ill at work, or who call in sick, questions about their symptoms to determine if they have or may have COVID-19.”
  • With respect to workplace infection control strategies: “Because the CDC and state/local health authorities have acknowledged community spread of COVID-19 and issued attendant precautions as of March 2020, employers may measure employees’ body temperature. As with all medical information, the fact that an employee had a fever or other symptoms would be subject to ADA confidentiality requirements.  Similarly, with respect to the current COVID-19 pandemic, employers may follow the advice of the CDC and state/local public health authorities regarding information needed to permit an employee’s return to the workplace after visiting a specified location, whether for business or personal reasons.”
  • With respect to reasonable accommodation requests by employees that are unrelated to COVID-19: “The rapid spread of COVID-19 has disrupted normal work routines and may have resulted in unexpected or increased requests for reasonable accommodation.  Although employers and employees should address these requests as soon as possible, the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic may result in delay in discussing requests and in providing accommodation where warranted.  Employers and employees are encouraged to use interim solutions to enable employees to keep working as much as possible.”
  • With respect to hiring practices during COVID-19 pandemic: “An employer may screen job applicants for symptoms of COVID-19 after making a conditional job offer, as long as it does so for all entering employees in the same type of job. This ADA rule allowing post-offer (but not pre-offer) medical inquiries and exams applies to all applicants, whether or not the applicant has a disability.”

The Morse Employment Law team is following this, and other matters related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate.

Massachusetts Governor Orders “Non-Essential” Businesses To Close Physical Workplaces By Tuesday, March 24

March 23, 2020 Leave a comment

MLM Headshot Photo 2019 (M1341570xB1386)On March 23, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an Emergency Order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public.

The Emergency Order goes into effect on Tuesday, March 24th at noon, and remains in effect until Tuesday, April 7th, or until otherwise ordered.

Please refer to the list of “COVID-19 Essential Services” that are exempted from the Emergency Order.

Businesses that are designated as “Essential” are directed to follow social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as aggregated at the following sites:

COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment

COVID-19 Guidance and Directives

Revised Guidance Regarding The Order By The Governor Prohibiting Assemblages Of More Than 10 People And On-Premises Consumption Of Food And Beverages

Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at workplace premises impacted by the Emergency Order.

Information concerning this Emergency Order is developing.

The Morse Employment Law team is following this, and other matters related to COVID-19 responses, and will continue to report as appropriate.

Resources for Employers Managing the Impact of COVID-19

March 20, 2020 Leave a comment

2015-01-05_8-57-41By: Amanda E. Thibodeau

COVID-19 is causing significant disruption at every level of business – and responses are varying and evolving rapidly. Morse is monitoring the situation closely on behalf of our clients. To help keep you as up to date as possible, below we provide some helpful federal and state resources to help you and your business keep up on the latest as well.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
  • The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
  • Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
  • Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

See our website for additional information regarding these resources.