It has been almost exactly four years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the American working landscape. Many of us followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through multiple changes and guidance, including from no mask, to mask, to no mask. On March 1, 2024, the CDC changed the isolation guidance for those with
COVID-19
Philadelphia’s COVID-19 Sick Leave Law Expires
By Daniel L. Blanchard & Preeya Bansal on
Posted in COVID-19
Philadelphia’s COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law expired on December 31, 2023. As a result, as of January 1, 2024, employers are no longer required to provide additional paid sick leave to employees when they are absent for certain COVID-19 reasons.
That said, employers should be mindful that they may still be required to provide…
Changes to Paid Sick Leave and Supplemental Public Health Emergency Leave for Colorado Employees
By Emely Garcia on
Posted in COVID-19, Paid Sick Leave
Starting on August 7, 2023, Colorado employees will be able to use paid sick leave for additional reasons under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 23-017 into law on June 2, 2023, and it is expected to become effective on August 7, 2023.
Previously, the HFWA permitted employees…
CDPH Updates Definition of COVID-19 Outbreak
By Sean Paisan on
Posted in COVID-19
While the California COVID-19 State of Emergency was lifted several months ago, one holdover of the COVID-19 pandemic is the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations (NER), which remain in effect until February 2025.
Read more here.
California State Grant Program for COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
By Susan E. Groff & Gabriel A. Mendoza on
Posted in COVID-19
The COVID-19 State of Emergency may be over but many employers are still feeling the economic effects of the pandemic. In 2022, when COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) was extended for the final time, the legislation also provided for a grant program for certain businesses to offset the costs of providing SPSL.
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Florida’s Latest Legislation in Wake of COVID-19: What Employers Need to Know
Posted in COVID-19
New Florida legislation seeks to protect individuals from discrimination “based on health care choices” and bars COVID-19 mandates. The new law took effect on June 1, 2023.
The law’s restrictions on vaccine mandates and facial coverings also apply in educational settings, in addition to employers and businesses. Florida schools, both public and private, from preschool…
No Religious Accommodation Required from Vaccine Mandate at Fictional Hospital
By Patricia Anderson Pryor on
Posted in COVID-19
Soap Operas are known for drama. Nothing has caused more drama in the last two years than vaccine mandates. Last week, a California court determined that a plaintiff’s request for religious accommodation at General Hospital could not be accommodated. The court concluded defendant had advanced sufficient evidence that unvaccinated employees threatened the health and safety…
CMS COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing Requirements to Formally End This Summer
Posted in COVID-19
The Biden-Harris Administration announced on May 1, 2023, that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would soon be eliminating COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare providers. On May 31, 2023, CMS issued the awaited Final Rule.
Read more here.
New Executive Order Relieves Federal Contractors From Safer Federal Workforce Requirements
Posted in COVID-19
As anticipated, President Joe Biden has rescinded the COVID-19 safety requirements for federal contractors in connection with the declared end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the World Health Organization determination that COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Read more here.
Puerto Rico Five-Day Paid Leave for COVID-19 Ends as Governor Ends Related State of Emergency
By Juan Felipe Santos, Ana B. Rosado-Frontanés & Marcia C. Laurido Soto on
Posted in COVID-19
The governor of Puerto Rico has issued Executive Order No. OE-2023-012, ending the state of emergency declared in 2020 due to the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and repealing multiple Executive Orders issued to adopt preventive measures because of COVID-19. OE-2023-012, signed on May 11, 2023, went into effect immediately.
Read more here