On Monday, September 6, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease under New York State’s HERO Act (Act). As a result of this designation, all covered employers are now required to implement their workplace safety plans. The NY Department of Health (DOH) issued an order to reflect this […]
On July 27, 2021, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued updated Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People due to new evidence on the Delta variant currently circulating in the United States. The updated recommendations include the following: A recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or […]
Today, Governor Cuomo announced that the state has reach its goal of 70% of New York residents (age 18 and older) having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. Per the announcement, effective today, complying with the industry specific reopening guidelines established by New York Forward will be optional for most businesses. However, […]
The pandemic has brought a significant amount of change to the workplace, resulting in employers needing to actively re-engage their workforce using effective change management strategies and crisis communication principles. Below we have outlined a few ways you can apply these strategies to address the impacts the past year has had on your organization and […]
On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its guidance, entitled, What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act and other EEO Laws to include, among other things, guidance regarding the use of incentives to encourage vaccination. The EEOC’s guidance provides that employers may offer incentives to employees to be […]
Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19. At this time, anyone 16 or older in New York State can get a first dose COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at any state-run mass vaccination site. According to the CDC, the vaccines are safe, effective, reduce the risk of severe […]
Amendments to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) were signed into law on Friday, June 5, 2020. Since being established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in March 2020, the PPP has been the subject of additional stimulus bills, legal guidance and interim final rules. In the latest development, […]
With school and summer activity schedules greatly altered as the country continues to reopen while dealing with coronavirus, the DOL issued two FABs on June 26 to clarify issues relevant to the pandemic’s effects on employees and the workplace. The new FABs address: FAB 2020-3: When a physically closed school is considered “in session” relative […]
As the national economy reopens, an unprecedented number of workers will be required to wear faces masks in the workplace for the first time. To help employers provide a safer work environment, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a series of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the use of masks […]
In response to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission in certain states across the United States, and to protect New York’s successful containment of COVID-19, the state has joined with New Jersey and Connecticut in issuing a travel advisory for anyone returning from travel to states that have a significant degree of community-wide spread of COVID-19. […]
