A Trending News interview from Employment Law This Week®, featuring attorneys Amy Ramsey and Kevin Sullivan, Members of the Firm:

California voters approved Proposition 22 on Election Day, allowing app-based transportation and delivery drivers to maintain independent contractor status. These drivers are now exempted from Assembly Bill 5, which changed worker classification standards.

We invite you to view Employment Law This Week® – learn about significant developments in employment and labor law and workforce management in a matter of minutes every #WorkforceWednesday.

Watch the series and subscribe for email notifications: EmploymentLawThisWeek.com.

These materials have been provided for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed to constitute legal advice. The content of these materials is copyrighted to Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® is a registered trademark of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.

It’s #WorkforceWednesday! This week, workplace safety and liability issues are top of mind while employers also look ahead to the tax issues telecommuting will cause this tax season.

OSHA Issues Citations for COVID-19 Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued its first big wave of workplace safety citations and penalties to more than 100 employers across the country. These citations are the result of investigations from the April-May period and more enforcement activity is expected.

Michigan Enacts Liability Shield for Employers

In October, Michigan became the 16th state to protect employers, as long as they are in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations around COVID-19. Read more - workforcebulletin.com/2020/10/27/michigan-passes-covid-19-laws-including-a-liability-shield-for-employers-and-enhanced-worker-protections/

New York Publishes Guidance for Telecommuter Taxes

New York has entered the brewing telecommuter tax fight. The state published guidance stating that telecommuters working outside New York must pay New York taxes if their primary office is located in the state. View the state’s updated guidance - tax.ny.gov/pit/file/nonresident-faqs.htm#telecommuting

Other Highlights

Contact Tracing FAQs

Employers face several questions when considering implementation of COVID-19 contact tracing technology in the workplace.

· Here is a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions - healthlawadvisor.com/2020/10/27/privacy-and-security-considerations-for-employers-grappling-with-introducing-social-distancing-and-contact-tracing-technologies-in-the-workplace/

· Here is more information for multinational employers - workforcebulletin.com/2020/11/02/evolving-considerations-for-multinational-employers-covid-19-contact-tracing-applications/

Paid Sick Leave Updates

· New York has finally issued guidance on the State’s Paid Sick Leave Law. In response, New York City also updated its Earned Safe and Sick Time Act notice. Learn more - ebglaw.com/news/sick-and-safe-leave-nys-releases-faqs-and-nyc-issues-notice/

· Washington, D.C., employers must now provide both paid and unpaid leave under the new District of Columbia Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 - workforcebulletin.com/2020/10/30/dont-be-spooked-d-c-covid-19-leave-law-is-in-effect-and-will-be-enforced/

Stay Up to Date

Our Coronavirus Resource Center is updated daily and has the return-to-work resources you need. Click here - ebglaw.com/returntowork

We invite you to view Employment Law This Week® – learn about the top developments in employment and labor law and workforce management in a matter of minutes every #WorkforceWednesday.

Watch the series and subscribe for email notifications: EmploymentLawThisWeek.com.

These materials have been provided for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed to constitute legal advice. The content of these materials is copyrighted to Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® is a registered trademark of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.

Women are disappearing from the workforce in this pandemic. Of the 1.1 million people who left the workforce in September, 865,000 were women.

And the trend is expected to continue.

One of the primary reasons: the child care crisis. The pandemic has closed many schools and daycares, and women are most often shouldering the burden.

Employers fear this could undo recent progress and affect workforce equity for years to come. Employers can make it easier for their female employees to remain in the workforce with: open communication, flexible time off, remote work policies, mentor programs, affinity groups, and employee benefits, like on-site child care and fringe benefits.

Employers evaluating policies and implementing programs to assist employees in need should understand the legal issues and requirements involved in doing it the right way.

We invite you to view Employment Law This Week® – learn about the top developments in employment and labor law and workforce management in a matter of minutes every #WorkforceWednesday.

Watch the series and subscribe for email notifications: EmploymentLawThisWeek.com.

These materials have been provided for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed to constitute legal advice. The content of these materials is copyrighted to Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® is a registered trademark of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.

A Trending News interview from Employment Law This Week®, featuring attorney Denise Dadika, Member of the Firm:

A new study from the CDC and Vermont health officials finds that COVID-19 transmission can occur if an individual is within 6 feet of a person who tested positive for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period. This news could impact workplace procedures.

We invite you to view Employment Law This Week® – learn about significant developments in employment and labor law and workforce management in a matter of minutes every #WorkforceWednesday.

Watch the series and subscribe for email notifications: EmploymentLawThisWeek.com.

These materials have been provided for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed to constitute legal advice. The content of these materials is copyrighted to Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® is a registered trademark of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.

It’s #WorkforceWednesday. This week, federal contractors receive guidance on diversity training, while many employers are committing to diversity and inclusion anew with updated plans and time off to vote.

OFCCP Publishes Guidance on Diversity Training Executive Order

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the OFCCP, has issued guidance providing clarity around President Trump’s recent diversity training executive order. Read more about the OFCCP’s guidance - ebglaw.com/news/executive-order-prohibits-inclusion-of-divisive-concepts-in-workplace-training/

Starbucks Develops Diversity Plan

Starbucks released a forward-looking diversity and inclusion plan that sets goals like hitting increased diversity targets across the company by 2025 as well as putting in place mentorship and anti-bias training programs.

Time Off to Vote

With increased focus on voting access, employers are committing to time off for employees on November 3rd. Click for more - workforcebulletin.com/2020/09/09/covid-19-trend-watch-employers-respond-to-employees-voting-concerns-with-new-pto-and-other-election-related-policies/

Other Highlights

Returning Employers from COVID-19-Related Furlough

When returning furloughed employees to work, employers should keep in mind discrimination risk mitigation and communications best practices and address benefits concerns that may apply to returning employees. Learn more - news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/discrimination-benefit-issues-to-watch-when-returning-furloughed-workers

Rules of the Road: Return to Work in the Time of COVID-19

Returning to the physical workplace safely and in a compliant manner is essential to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Use the 10 “Rules of the Road” to help guide your organizations and employees through this transition. This week, we’re featuring rule eight:

Rule #8: Don’t Waste the Crisis - workforcebulletin.com/2020/10/14/rule-8-dont-waste-the-crisis-return-to-work-in-the-time-of-covid-19/

What We’re Reading

“What to Include in Policies Regarding Damage to Equipment,” a SHRM article by Allen Smith, featuring attorney RyAnn McKay Hooper - shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/state-and-local-updates/pages/policy-regarding-damage-to-company-property.aspx

Stay Up to Date

Our Coronavirus Resource Center is updated daily and has the return-to-work resources you need. Click here - ebglaw.com/returntowork

We invite you to view Employment Law This Week® – learn about the top developments in employment and labor law and workforce management in a matter of minutes every #WorkforceWednesday.

Watch the series and subscribe for email notifications: EmploymentLawThisWeek.com.

These materials have been provided for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed to constitute legal advice. The content of these materials is copyrighted to Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. EMPLOYMENT LAW THIS WEEK® is a registered trademark of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.