Workplace Safety

Circle from wooden figures and red figure. Discrimination or harassment concept.

EEOC Issues Proposed Enforcement Guidance on Harassment and Addresses LGBTQ and Racial Employment Issues

by John S. Lord Jr in Human Resources, Legal, Safety & Security. Posted November 16, 2023

Sexual orientation, gender identity, and race continue to be widely discussed and politicized throughout the U.S. Issues related to these protected categories also continue to arise in the workplace. The EEOC recently issued proposed enforcement guidance that will help employers address emerging issues related to these categories, including issues related to employee conflict at work. For example, ...

What Hospitality Operators Need to Know About Planned Workplace Vaccine Mandates

by HospitalityLawyer.com in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Human Resources, Legal, Risk Management, Safety & Security. Posted September 25, 2021

Many businesses were already implementing vaccine mandates, especially with the onset of the Delta Variant, and now the trend will be further accelerated with President Biden announcing plans to mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require employees to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly earlier this month. The following video ...

Your State No Longer Requires Face Coverings in the Workplace – But Should You Continue To Mandate Them?

by Fisher Phillips in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Legal, Safety & Security. Posted June 3, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic (mercifully) starts to retreat, many states have begun rolling back face-covering mandates, which often relieve employers of the obligation to require masks for employees and visitors in the workplace. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends their use in most workplaces, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ...

The Top 5 Ways To Keep Your Employees Engaged (And Safe) Despite COVID Fatigue

by Fisher Phillips in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Human Resources, Risk Management, Safety & Security. Posted December 17, 2020

When the pandemic first began, most employees were ready to pitch in and do their part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. They adapted to remote working while attending to their children. Others understood they were deemed “essential workers” and adjusted to the new normal when coming to work, which included temperature checks, symptom ...

Employees’ Personal Travel Raises COVID-19 Concerns: FAQs For Employers

by Fisher Phillips in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Travel. Posted October 8, 2020

There is no doubt the summer of 2020 has been memorable, but likely not for overseas jaunts or exotic vacations. Although the CDC recently relaxed its COVID-19 guidance regarding quarantine after travel, it still recognizes: “Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others ...

Employers Should Prepare for Wave of COVID-Related Wrongful Death Lawsuits

by David Barron in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Human Resources, Legal. Posted September 29, 2020

The latest projections estimate that nearly 300,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 by the end of 2020. Many of those individuals will be employed when they contract the virus, and a significant number will be workers in front line businesses such as retail, manufacturing, or healthcare, where the risk of exposure is significant. Faced with ...

4 Common COVID-19 Misunderstandings That Could Place Your Company At Legal Risk

by Travis Vance in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Legal. Posted August 25, 2020

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued constantly changing guidance for employers that many view as complex, confusing, and impractical. In its perplexing web of guidelines, the CDC recommends that your company take several actions to protect workers from contracting COVID-19, like self-isolating sick employees, quarantining exposed employees, screening employees ...

Businessman Overcoming Difficulties Due To COVID-19

COVID-19 Exposure Control & Response Plan: What Is It and Why Does Every Employer Need One?

by Conn Maciel Carey in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Legal, Risk Management, Safety & Security. Posted June 9, 2020

As states across the country begin to loosen or lift stay-at-home and shutdown orders, many workplaces that had been idled, have just begun to or will soon resume operations. Many states and localities are setting as a precondition for reopening, a requirement that they develop and implement a written, site-specific COVID-19 Exposure Control and Response ...

Businesses That Mandate Masks For Employees And Customers Need To Consider ADA Issues

by Fisher Phillips in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Food & Beverage, Legal, Lodging. Posted June 6, 2020

As more businesses begin to reopen, businesses face many difficult questions about requiring employees and customers to wear protective face coverings? However, businesses should not forget that, despite the onset of COVID-19 and drastic measures taken by local, state, and federal governments, the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) still apply to employers ...

Face Mask Policy Leads To COVID-19 Lawsuit Against Texas Restaurant

by Fisher Phillips in Coronavirus (COVID-19), Food & Beverage, Legal, Safety & Security. Posted May 28, 2020

Claiming that her employer prohibited her from wearing a face covering at work despite federal recommendations and local orders that such coverings should be worn by employees, a Texas cook just sued the restaurant that she says took her off the schedule after she objected to the company policy – and scored a victory in ...