On January 15, 2022, the New York City Council adopted an amendment to the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), requiring covered employers to include salary ranges for positions open to prospective or current employees. Employers with four or more employees (including independent contractors) are covered by the law. The new Local Law, which takes effect on May 15, 2022, expands upon a 2017 amendment that barred employers from inquiring about a prospective employee’s “salary history.”
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“Women-Only” Workout Areas Violate Connecticut Discrimination Laws
On January 25, 2022, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that local fitness centers violated Connecticut’s nondiscrimination statute by maintaining a separate workout area for women only.
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Supreme Court Blocks Enforcement of OSHA Vaccine-or-Testing Mandate
On January 13, 2022, the United States Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision blocking the Biden administration from enforcing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) rule mandating vaccine-or-testing for large businesses.
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Hello Again: OSHA’s COVID 19 Vaccination Mandate for Private Employers is Back, and NYC has Its Own
Several updates related to COVID-19 vaccination mandates occurred this week at the federal and local levels. On December 17, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay on the federal government’s mandate that employees of covered employers receive a COVID-19 vaccination or undergo weekly testing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) will begin enforcing the previously stayed Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) on January 10, 2022.
Continue Reading Hello Again: OSHA’s COVID 19 Vaccination Mandate for Private Employers is Back, and NYC has Its Own
New York Significantly Expands Protections For Employees Under Whistleblower Laws
On October 28, 2021, New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, signed legislation protecting employees who report illegal or dangerous business activities from retaliation by their employers.
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OSHA Issues Long-Awaited Emergency Temporary Standard for Employers
On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor (“OSHA”), issued its long-awaited Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”), applicable to employers with at least 100 employees. The ETS was issued by OSHA pursuant to President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan, announced last month, and provides minimum requirements in the implementation of mandatory vaccination policies. The 490 page ETS is effective immediately, and preempts or supersedes any state or municipal law that conflicts with its requirements.
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In It For The Long Haul: Employer Obligations To Employees With Long COVID Symptoms
Some people continue experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for weeks or months after first developing COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have defined “long COVID” as “new or ongoing symptoms that can last weeks or months after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.” With the rise of long COVID, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) provided guidance on Long COVID and how it qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
Continue Reading In It For The Long Haul: Employer Obligations To Employees With Long COVID Symptoms
Handling COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates: Federal Agencies Continue to Issue Guidance
In response to COVID-19 vaccination mandates and employer-mandated vaccination policies, federal agencies continue to issue guidance. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) have released additional guidance addressing common employer concerns regarding vaccination status, discrimination, and reasonable accommodations.
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New York Federal Courts Rule on Applicability of Religious Exemption to Two Separate Vaccine Mandates on Same Day
On Tuesday October 12, 2021, two New York federal judges issued rulings related to the enforcement of vaccine mandates in New York.
Continue Reading New York Federal Courts Rule on Applicability of Religious Exemption to Two Separate Vaccine Mandates on Same Day
President Mandates COVID-19 Vaccination For Millions Of Employees
On Thursday, September 9, 2021, President Joe Biden announced new COVID-19 vaccine mandates requiring all employers with 100+ employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly.
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