On August 3, 2020, in response to a legal challenge by the state of New York, a New York federal district judge struck down portions of a DOL final rule providing guidance on interpretations of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
On August 3, 2020, the White House issued an executive order directing federal agencies to contract with those who prioritize the hiring of U.S. citizens and green card holders over foreign workers for contract positions.
Since March 17, there have been 415 lawsuits (including 50 class actions) filed against employers due to alleged labor and employment violations related to the coronavirus.
Parties involved with EEOC charges of employment discrimination filed in the past month may notice some new language on the EEOC portal: “For charges filed after July 6, 2020, you may request mediation at any time during the charge process.”
In another effort to amend the 2014 final rule on “quickie elections,” on July 29, 2020, the NLRB published a notice of proposed rulemaking that, if implemented, would further relieve pre-election burdens on employers and protect voter privacy.
On July 27, 2020, Republican leadership in the U.S. Senate unveiled its latest legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act.
As the National Labor Relations Board moves toward resuming manual elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board’s Final Election Protection Rule will take effect on July 31, 2020.
During a pandemic, protests, and a polarized election season, employers have walked an ever-increasingly fine line between protecting employee speech in the workplace and enforcing rules on workplace conduct.
On July 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor issued additional guidance on return-to-work issues under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The Sacramento City Council has enacted the Sacramento Worker Protection, Health, and Safety Act. This ordinance, which becomes operative on July 15 and sunsets on December 31, 2020, addresses various workplace concerns in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
