The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance issued guidance on March 23, 2020 to provide clarity with respect to existing requirements for DOT-mandated drug and alcohol testing during the COVID-19 crisis. DOT agencies include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal
Seattle Expands Its Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance in Response to COVID-19
Effective March 18, 2020, the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance allows eligible employees working in Seattle to use PSST when their family member’s school or place of care is closed, regardless of whether such closure is made by a public official. In addition, when “Tier 3” employers (with 250 or more full
Temporary E-Verify Policies Announced for Delays Due to COVID-19
E-Verify has modified its policies temporarily due to COVID-19 as follows:
- Employers must still create cases in E-Verify within three business days from the date of hire.
- Employers should use the hire date from the employee’s Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification.
- Delays in E-Verify case creations are documented in the usual way by selecting
EEOC Updates Its 2009 Guidance Concerning Pandemic Preparedness
On March 19, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its 2009 pandemic preparedness guidance: Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Our colleague in the Privacy, Data and Cybersecurity practice group published an alert discussing the updates. Read more.
State of California– Immediately Ordered to Shelter in Place
Effective March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 (“Order”), directing all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructures. This Order shall stay in effect until further notice.
The directive is
Cal OSHA issues Guidance on COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Childcare Industry
It is well known that California’s workplace health and safety regulations direct workers to develop and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (“IIPP”) to protect employees from workplace hazards. Some employers also have an obligation under the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety & Health’s (“Cal OSHA”) Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (“ATD”)
EEOC Updates Its 2009 Guidance Concerning Pandemic Preparedness
On March 19, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its 2009 pandemic preparedness guidance: Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act. It includes the following note:
The EEOC is updating this 2009 publication to address its application to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Employers and employees should follow guidance from
The SEC Reacts to COVID-19
Over the last few weeks, the SEC identified key initiatives it is implementing to address the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the nation and its financial markets. https://www.sec.gov/sec-coronavirus-covid-19-response The Commission stressed that it has remained fully operational and continues to process normal daily activities while undertaking additional initiatives to combat the impact of COVID-19.
The SEC Weighs In on Reporting Related to COVID-19
As previously reported, the SEC is actively responding to the new wave of issues presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19). However, as early as January 30, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton issued a statement identifying coronavirus as a potential concern.
Chairman Clayton’s statement advised that he had instructed the staff to monitor and provide guidance
Cal OSHA issues Guidance on COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Childcare Industry
It is well known that California’s workplace health and safety regulations direct employers to develop and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (“IIPP”) to protect employees from workplace hazards. Some employers also have an obligation under the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety & Health’s (“Cal OSHA”) Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (“ATD”)