On Friday, January 13, 2022, a New York State Supreme Court Judge for Onondaga County struck down the New York State Department of Health regulation mandating certain healthcare professionals be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, declaring the regulation to be “null, void, and of no effect.” (Medical Professionals for Informed Consent, et. al. v. Bassett, et
New York Department of Health Revises the COVID-19 Return-to-Work Protocols for Healthcare Personnel, Consistent with CDC Recommendations
On November 30, 2022, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) updated its Advisory on Return-to-Work Protocols for Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to Sars-CoV-2. This new guidance supersedes previous New York guidance to be consistent with recommendations published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For recommendations on
New York Bars Discipline for Legally Protected Employee Absences
CDC’S COVID-19 Guidance Changes… Again
Since March 2020, COVID-19 rules have been confusing at best. On August 11, 2022, in an effort to streamline the guidance and reflect the current state of the pandemic, the CDC once again issued updated guidance. The new guidance focuses on individual responsibility and is designed to help the public better understand how to
What Employers Need to Know About Monkeypox
Monkeypox (MPV) is the latest virus to catch wide attention. But it is important for employers to keep in mind that MPV is not COVID-19. Nevertheless, there are steps employers can take. Read the full article here.
EEOC Updates Its COVID-19 Guidance to Reflect Current State of COVID-19 in the U.S.
As the pandemic continues to evolve, so does the EEOC’s guidance. On July 12, 2022, the EEOC once again updated its COVID-19 guidance: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws to reflect the pandemic’s changing state. The updated guidance follows CDC’s June 10, 2022 statements regarding
New EEOC Guidance Spotlights Caregivers in the Workplace
As the number of employees requesting flexible work arrangements increases, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has released a new technical assistance document, “The COVID-19 Pandemic and Caregiver Discrimination Under Federal Employment Discrimination Law,” and an update to its COVID-19 “What You Should Know” to address employees and job seekers with family caregiving responsibilities.
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U.S. Supreme Court Puts OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine-Or-Test ETS Back on Ice
In a 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has granted a temporary stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).
The Court described the standard as a “blunt instrument” demanding most employers to require two-thirds of the American workforce to receive COVID-19 vaccinations or otherwise undergo weekly testing. The justices
CDC’s New Shorter Quarantine Period is Welcome News for Those Who Got COVID for Christmas
The CDC announced today that it is updating its quarantine and isolation guidance. For people with COVID-19, the isolation period was reduced from ten days to five days as long as the individual has no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after five days. Importantly, the revised isolation guidance does not recommend an individual
Sixth Circuit Dissolves Stay of OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine ETS
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has lifted the Fifth Circuit’s stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccination and testing for employers with at least 100 employees. In re: MCP No. 165, Occupational Safety & Health Admin. Rule on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing,