News & Commentary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers have made the difficult choice not to return to an unsafe workplace or to decline a new offer of unsafe work to avoid the risk of catching the virus. On February 25, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released guidance announcing that individuals in these situations, in addition…

Earlier What You Need To Know Now postings here and here explained that, under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and CARES Act, health plans are required to cover the cost of COVID-19 diagnostic testing and vaccination without any cost sharing (co-pays, deductibles, coinsurance).  On February 26, 2021, in accordance with President Biden’s COVID-19 Executive…

On January 29, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released new guidance on best practices to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This guidance follows President Biden’s January 21, 2021 Executive Order calling for OSHA to issue new COVID-19-related workplace safety guidance. Looking ahead, the EO also called for…

In January 2021, amendments strengthening the NYC Fair Chance Act became law and will take effect on July 29, 2021.  These amendments extend protections to employment applicants with pending criminal accusations and arrests, and convictions arising during employment. Employers may not inquire or act adversely against an applicant or employee with a non-pending arrest, adjournment…

This Black History Month we pause to recognize Black women as recent and historic key players in the U.S. political process. We celebrate the election of the first Black and South Asian woman to Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. We also celebrate the commitment and systematic organizing spearheaded, most notably by Stacey…

You may be scrambling to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination for yourself or a loved one. But, will you be responsible for costs associated with vaccination? Earlier What You Need to Know Now posts here and here explained that all COVID-19 testing and associated costs must be covered without cost-sharing under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…

In March 2020, New York State passed emergency legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that requires employers to provide job-protected COVID-19 sick leave to employees subject to an order of quarantine or isolation. See LR’s prior What You Need to Know Now updates on the legislation here and here. On January 20, 2021, the…

On December 21, 2020, Congress passed a $900 billion stimulus package. If signed into law, the second stimulus bill would extend some of the federal protections specifically created during the pandemic for workers and those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, while reducing some of the earlier protections. The Families First Coronavirus Response…

On December 17, 2020, the New York City Council voted to pass a bill protecting fast food workers from being fired or having their hours significantly reduced without a valid reason. Mayor DeBlasio is expected to sign the legislation into law. Under the bill, employers may not terminate employees or substantially reduce their hours without…

Preparing to enter office in January 2021, President-elect Joe Biden has not yet announced his choice for Secretary of Labor, but the labor agenda Biden shared throughout the presidential campaign signals that greater workplace safety enforcement, progressive labor legislation, and a more union-friendly NLRB may be on the horizon. Though many aspects of his labor…