By Paul Edwards bio It’s been a couple of months of COVID chaos and business owners across America are thinking about what it’s going to take to reopen their businesses—and the economy, in general. Of course, the first piece of that equation involves recalling your employees who have been temporarily furloughed or laid off. And, since one portion of the CARES Act included an … [Read more...] about So, your employee wants to stay on unemployment
Covid-19
Tool: Model COVID-19 Medical Screening Policy
Regulators have made it clear that given the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers may implement pre-screening measures to ensure that people who have or may have the virus don’t get into work and spread it to others. But limits still apply and you can get into a lot of trouble if you don’t follow them. Here’s a Model Policy your firm can adapt that provides … [Read more...] about Tool: Model COVID-19 Medical Screening Policy
Managing virtual teams in a COVID-19 era
By Lynne Curry bio If you’re a manager struggling your way up the steep virtual workplace learning curve, you may discover the COVID-19 pandemic makes you a better leader. Here’s how to navigate your way through this trial by fire. Focus on results Effective remote supervision requires managers to switch gears from supervising activities to managing results. Train yourself … [Read more...] about Managing virtual teams in a COVID-19 era
How to create a legally sound COVID-19 medical screening policy
Like so many other law offices during the coronavirus pandemic, you may be considering medically screening your employees each day before letting them into the workplace. While screening is highly problematic in normal times, regulators have grudgingly acknowledged that it may be a justified health and safety measure during the pandemic. The operative phrase is “may be,” which … [Read more...] about How to create a legally sound COVID-19 medical screening policy
Coronavirus pushing rapid changes in employer law
By Mike O’Brien bio Employer law is rapidly changing amid the coronavirus pandemic. For one thing, Congress has passed another coronavirus related law. The United States Department of Labor (DOL) has provided some helpful guidance and answered a number of questions about the recent expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and about the new paid sick leave law, … [Read more...] about Coronavirus pushing rapid changes in employer law
What employees and managers can do to protect each other
By Lynne Curry bio I’m scared. I don’t feel like my boss or coworkers are taking COVID-19 seriously. The medical professionals say we should be wiping down high-touch places. In our office, I’m the one who does it. So does that make me on the front line? Does my doing all this cleaning let everyone else feel safer so they don’t think they need to do anything? It would be fair … [Read more...] about What employees and managers can do to protect each other
Employers need a plan for the pandemic
By Lynne Curry bio your employees ask, “What are we going to do when COVID-19 gets worse in our community?” you can’t say “I don’t know.” If you’re an employer, you need a plan. You need to address what you’ll do to keep your employees as healthy as possible and what your employees can expect from you as their employer. According to Occupational Safety and Health … [Read more...] about Employers need a plan for the pandemic
Create a new normal to cope with new times
By Lynne Curry bio If every several days you wonder “is this pandemic a nightmare and if so, when will I wake up?” you’re not alone. Two months ago none of us knew that in my state more than 49,000 Alaskans would lose their jobs or that nine Alaskans would die from COVID-19. We didn’t expect that the rest of us would work in situations that put our heath at risk or struggle to … [Read more...] about Create a new normal to cope with new times
Before you let your employees work remote
By Paul Edwards bio In light of growing concerns surrounding coronavirus, many businesses are wondering if they will be faced with a decision to send employees home and/or close their doors for a period of time. One popular idea to address these concerns is to offer remote work (or ‘telework’) options. If you don’t regularly have remote workers, this may not be something … [Read more...] about Before you let your employees work remote
Employment law changing on the fly in response to COVID-19
By Mike O’Brien bio COVID-19 has ushered in a variety of new, and fast-evolving employment law changes, from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes a tax credit for employers that retain … [Read more...] about Employment law changing on the fly in response to COVID-19