Although courts have yet to weigh in on the issue, guidelines from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other regulatory agencies indicate that employers may implement vaccine passports if they perform a workplace assessment and determine that limiting entry to the vaccinated is a necessary health and safety measure to prevent an imminent risk. Employers must also … [Read more...] about Model Law Office Workplace Vaccine Passport Policy
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5 things to do when implementing a vaccine passport policy at your law office
Like many other employers, you might have been undecided about whether to mandate that your employees get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, now that the FDA has fully approved a coronavirus vaccine, namely, the Pfizer BioNTech, you are on much stronger legal ground in requiring that employees get vaccinated. One strategy that may work, especially for offices that aren’t … [Read more...] about 5 things to do when implementing a vaccine passport policy at your law office
Watch for vaccine mandate and outcome of remote work lawsuit
By Mike O’Brien Watching for OSHA’s new vaccine mandate rule President Joe Biden has instructed the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop an emergency rule that will require private-sector employers with 100 or more employees to mandate that their employees be vaccinated or receive a weekly negative COVID-19 test. … [Read more...] about Watch for vaccine mandate and outcome of remote work lawsuit
We should have waited for the reference checks
By Lynne Curry Question: When a long-term staffer passed away, we suddenly had a hard-to-fill position in our firm. We advertised, and when we got an acceptable candidate, offered him the position before completing reference checks. He’s already worked four days for us. What we’re learning from his references makes us worry we’ve selected the wrong candidate. Several … [Read more...] about We should have waited for the reference checks
All private-sector employers with 100 or more employees must mandate vaccination or a weekly negative COVID-19 test
By Mike O'Brien President Biden spoke from the White House Sept. 9 to announce his new Path Out of the Pandemic Plan. Among other things, President Biden has instructed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop rules that will require private-sector employers with 100 or more employees to mandate that their employees be vaccinated or receive a weekly … [Read more...] about All private-sector employers with 100 or more employees must mandate vaccination or a weekly negative COVID-19 test
Paid leave for vaccine tax credit updated & employer ups premiums for unvaccinated
By Mike O'Brien Update to the paid-leave tax credit expansion—paid leave for employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine As previously described in these updates, the Treasury Department and the IRS announced that eligible employers could receive paid-leave tax credits under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for providing leave for each employee receiving a COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Paid leave for vaccine tax credit updated & employer ups premiums for unvaccinated
We suspect our employees gave us phony vaccination cards
By Lynne Curry Question: Our senior leadership team couldn’t believe the hostility that erupted when we told our employees if they weren’t vaccinated by Sept. 15, we’d consider they had voluntarily resigned. Several of them emailed lengthy rants to every member of the management team. Others came into our offices crying and went home in tears. Then, like magic, the protests … [Read more...] about We suspect our employees gave us phony vaccination cards
Salaries and employment strong for Class of 2020, despite pandemic
Overall median salaries rose and private practice employment stayed strong for the Class of 2020, even as other key employment metrics declined due to the pandemic. The National Association for Law Placement, Inc. (NALP) has released its Employment for the Class of 2020 — Selected Findings, a synopsis of key findings from the upcoming annual Jobs & JDs: Employment and … [Read more...] about Salaries and employment strong for Class of 2020, despite pandemic
Creating the right spaces for your post-pandemic law office
Staff have returned to law offices this summer, with more likely return in the fall. But the pre-pandemic office design might not work anymore, with some staff continuing full-time telework, others opting for part-time presence in the office—and many accustomed to the freedom they enjoyed while working from home. Allwork.Space, a company that focuses on what it calls The … [Read more...] about Creating the right spaces for your post-pandemic law office
OSHA updates guidance to track the latest CDC mask recommendations
By Mike O’Brien The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its COVID workplace safety guidance entitled, Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace. OSHA’s latest update on Aug. 13 “reflect[s] the July 27, 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask and testing recommendations … [Read more...] about OSHA updates guidance to track the latest CDC mask recommendations