Congress Passes CARES Act – Will Deliver Aid to Millions of Workers Losing Work Including Gig Workers, Self-Employed, and Independent Contractors

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which became effective on March 27, 2020,  will deliver aid to the millions of workers who lost their jobs or are unable to work due to Coronavirus/COVID-19.  This LR What You Need to Know Now update will focus on the CARES Act expansion of existing…

What Can Your Employer Ask About Your Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to be a pandemic. This LR What You Need to Know Now update will answer questions related to employee rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on excerpts from recently updated U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission…

Laid Off During the Public Health Emergency? Waiting Period Waived for Unemployment Claimants

New York and New Jersey have modified the unemployment insurance claim process in order to speed up access to benefits for workers laid off as a result of the Coronavirus public health emergency. Under normal circumstances, New York requires unemployment insurance claimants to wait seven days after losing their jobs before they can claim for…

United States Passes Expanded Leave Protections for Workers in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The new law extends protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to workers at companies with fewer than 500 employees and also requires companies with fewer than 500 employees to provide paid sick leave to workers under certain…

New York State Passes Emergency Legislation to Protect Workers in COVID-19 Related Isolation and Quarantine

In response to the growing COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation to protect workers in COVID-19-related isolation and quarantine. This emergency legislation mandates sick, disability, and paid family leave for employees in government-ordered isolation or quarantine. The COVID-19 sick leave, is separate from any accrued sick-leave which an employee may already have….