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… Read more
Recent Posts
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,… Read more
Unemployment Qualifications and Benefits Under the CARES Act (Coronavirus and the Law)
On the subject of unemployment insurance benefits (UIB), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act accomplishes three objectives: Increasing the amount of UI paid to individuals already covered under state or federal unemployment… Read more
New Temporary Regulations Entitle Employees to Keep Group Healthcare Benefits During COVID-19 Leave (Coronavirus and the Law)
The Department of Labor issued temporary regulations describing the requirements for group health plan coverage of employees who take leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) or Expanded Family and Medical Leave Act… Read more
Six Steps to Take if an Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus and the Law)
Last updated May 7, 2020. Maintaining a safe workplace while keeping workplace anxiety to a minimum is a real challenge right now, made worse by the abundance of rumors, myths, and urban legends circulating through… Read more
Letting Employees Go – Is it a Furlough or Layoff, and Does it Matter? (Coronavirus and the Law)
The only constant we have experienced during this pandemic is uncertainty. An unfortunate reality for any employer is there may come a time when you may need to let some workers go to accommodate business… Read more
Following OSHA’s General Duty Clause During the Pandemic (Coronavirus and the Law)
As the number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases continues to grow in the United States, employers should be aware of their legal obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (“OSH Act”). Employers that… Read more
Additional Guidance on COVID-19 Emergency Leave – DOL Issues Temporary Rule (Coronavirus and the Law)
On April 1, 2020, the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor issued a temporary rule that provided some much-needed guidance for Americans wading through the twists and turns of the Families First… Read more
Clarifying Employee Leave – DOL Issues March 27 Guidance on FFCRA (Coronavirus and the Law)
March 27, 2020: Department of Labor published updated FAQs for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a set of FAQs for employers to consider when interpreting their obligations under… Read more
OSHA Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements for COVID-19 (Coronavirus and the Law)
Recordability on an employer’s OSHA 300 log of an employee’s infection with COVID-19 will, in most cases, depend on whether the employee’s exposure to the virus and subsequent infection are “work-related” within the meaning of… Read more