COVID-19 Employment Lawsuits Are Already Brewing (Coronavirus and the Law)

By R. Patrick Bolling, Leah M. Stiegler, Thomas M. Winn III

Employers across the country already are being sued by current and former employees as a result of COVID-19. These lawsuits come from many angles including paid leave requirements, disability accommodations, and concerns over workplace safety. The cases below highlight issues… Read more

May 12, 2020 | COVID-19 Legal Updates | Labor & Employment | Litigation

CDC and OSHA Interim Guidance for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers A Roadmap For All Industries

The CDC and OSHA released a COVID-19 related interim guidance for meatpacking and meat processing workers on April 26, 2020. While industry-specific in some details, it is an excellent guide for any facility particularly one which is planning for a… Read more

May 11, 2020 | COVID-19 Legal Updates | Labor & Employment | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PPP Forgiveness When a Furloughed Employee Refuses to Return to Work

By Anne G. Bibeau

As widely predicted, the generous federal addition of $600 per week to unemployment benefits has created a perverse disincentive to work for some laid-off employees. Businesses are finding that, as they look to spend PPP loan proceeds by returning furloughed… Read more

May 7, 2020 | COVID-19 Task Force | Labor & Employment

BRACE YOURSELF: Virginia Employers Should Prepare Now for an Onslaught of Litigation

By Anne G. Bibeau

It is impossible to understate the magnitude of the change in Virginia employment law in 2020. Previously, Virginia had few employment laws and provided few employee rights. The General Assembly in 2020, however, passed several laws greatly expanding employee rights… Read more

May 7, 2020 | COVID-19 Task Force | Labor & Employment

Plan Now for Reopening Your Business

By Anne G. Bibeau

Governor Northam announced on May 4 that provisions of E.O. 53 that were to expire on May 7 have been extended to May 14. Beginning May 15, certain non-essential businesses that had been closed by E.O. 53 will be permitted… Read more

May 1, 2020 | Corporate & Business Transactions | COVID-19 Task Force | Labor & Employment

COVID-19 and Virginia Workers’ Compensation (Coronavirus and the Law)

By Christopher W. Stevens

Presently, there is no case law in Virginia that specifically addresses pandemic viruses as occupational diseases and workers’ compensation benefits. However, by definition pandemics are a widespread contagion. Therefore, it is likely that COVID-19 claims could fall within the “ordinary… Read more

April 29, 2020 | COVID-19 Legal Updates | Labor & Employment | Workers' Compensation

Virginia Values Act Provides New Protections for LGBT Residents and Workers

By Patice L. Holland

The 2020 Virginia General Assembly session ushered in a new era for labor and employment law in the Commonwealth. On April 11, 2020, Governor Northam signed the Virginia Values Act (S.B. 868) into law, creating protections for LGBT residents in… Read more

April 28, 2020 | Labor & Employment

OSHA Instructs Discretion in Issuing Citations During COVID-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus and the Law)

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA understands some employers may face difficulties complying with the multitude of OSHA standards. OSHA Memorandum In the April 16, 2020 Enforcement Memorandum, OSHA acknowledges the widespread business closures, restrictions on travel, limitations on… Read more

April 22, 2020 | COVID-19 Legal Updates | Labor & Employment | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Virginia Bans Covenants Not To Compete for Some Employees

By Anne G. Bibeau

While you were distracted with the COVID-19 crisis, Virginia enacted a number of surprising laws that chip away at its staunchly pro-employer reputation. One such law, Va. Code § 40.1-28.7:7, which goes into effect on July 1, 2020, prohibits employers… Read more

April 22, 2020 | COVID-19 Task Force | Labor & Employment

New Guidance From OSHA About COVID-19 In The Workplace

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is continuing to address safety concerns in the workplace due to the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 by providing enforcement guidance to Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) and Employers. So far… Read more

April 17, 2020 | COVID-19 Task Force | Labor & Employment

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