Q We are concerned we may need to furlough several employees in the upcoming weeks. What considerations should we be aware of when furloughing employees? A In the collective bargaining context, a “furlough” generally...
Employment Law Letter
QOne of our building inspectors has requested a leave of absence because of COVID-19. He is living with his parents, who are both over 60, and is worried about exposing them to the virus because he can come into contact...
When you're dealing with a crisis including supply chain issues, closures, and layoffs, it's easy to forget what documentation will be needed to help your business recover once the emergency is over. Federal legislation...
Although social distancing is clearly working to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, everyone is anxious to get back to normal operations as quickly as possible. If and when the curves depicting the number of new...
Here are a few of the labor and employment bills being considered during this legislative session that may be of interest to Maryland employers. Labor and employment bills this legislative session House Bill (HB) 0014...
With all of the dramatic employment changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic—including layoffs, business shutdowns, and mandatory work-from-home options—many Maryland employers and employees have questions about their pay...
It takes more than a time clock to figure out when employees are productive and safely on the job. What if a warehouse worker tasked with lifting heavy loads is sore from last week's workout session at the gym and...
With the COVID-19 outbreak, there are many strange new considerations: stay-at-home advisories, social distancing, and the closure of nonessential businesses' physical workplaces. In working to manage the rocky path for...
The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Washington State's 60-day legislative session ended on Thursday, March 12, after the rapid spread of COVID-19 drastically changed the outcome. The Washington Legislature...
Virginia became the first southern state to ban not only LQBT discrimination but also hair discrimination across the Commonwealth during the 2020 legislative session, joining California, New York, and New Jersey in doing...
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that Kansas can prosecute individuals for identity theft under state law when they use someone else's Social Security number (SSN) to get a job. The controversy arose from three...
Under a recent regulation interpreting the Colorado Wage Claim Act (CWCA), Colorado employers are now barred from having policies that permit accrued vacation time to be forfeited if not used within a particular time...
Q Because of the coronavirus, we have reduced everyones hours to 30 per week. An employee wants to take his paid time off (PTO) but be paid for his normal 40-hour workweek. Can the company pay for only 30 hours since...
A former employee's age discrimination and hostile work environment claims will proceed to trial in large part because his supervisors allegedly repeatedly questioned him about when he would retire. The 57-year-old...
As the number of individuals being tested and diagnosed with COVID-19 continues to increase, the likelihood an employee will report a confirmed diagnosis also increases. Employers should take steps now to understand...