Thursday, November 19, 2020

Coronavirus Update 11-19-2020: Cuyahoga County issues four-week stay-at-home advisory


Yesterday afternoon, Cuyahoga County, Ohio's largest, issued a four-week stay-at-home advisory. It took effect immediately, and is in addition to the 21-day 10 pm – 5 am statewide curfew Governor DeWine implemented yesterday and which takes effect tonight. 

Let's examine why it was issued, what is says, and what it means for your business.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Coronavirus Update 11-18-2020: WFHH (work from home harassment)


For last night's dinner, I decided to use the leftover meatballs from the prior night's spaghetti dinner to make meatball subs. The only problem? No hoagie rolls, which led to the following conversation with my wife:
Me: I need to stop and get buns for dinner.

Her: Ooh, will you toast them?

Me: I'll toast your buns alright.

Her: That's sexual harassment!

Me: Take it up with HR.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Coronavirus Update 11-17-2020: Retaliation under the FFCRA is as illegal as is retaliation under any other employment statute


MaryJo Delaney is suing her former employer after it demoted her from her management position following her return from a Covid-related layoff, for which she had volunteered so that she could stay at home with her 9-year-old son whose school was closed.

Monday, November 16, 2020

The 11th nominee for the “worst employer of 2020” is … the horrific human traffickers


Today's nominee for the Worst Employer of 2020 is beyond description. NBC Bay Area provides the details:
A Gilroy couple has been charged with human trafficking after forcing a man to work 15-hour shifts seven days a week for no pay at their liquor store and then locking him inside the store overnight, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said Monday.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Coronavirus Update 11-13-2020: Closing restaurants and bars is NOT the solution to fixing the spread of COVID-19


During his most recent scolding of Ohio's citizens, Governor DeWine threatened to close restaurants and bars if the state's Covid numbers don't quickly improve. He figures if people can't behave responsibly he'll close the places they are mass-congregating to slow the spread. 


His approach is wrong and dangerous.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Coronavirus Update 11-12-2020: Breaking down the potential liabilities in Ohio’s new mask rules


During yesterday evening's statewide address, and amid dangerously rising COVID-19 infections and hospitalization, Governor Mike DeWine, announced the reissuing and restating of Ohio's mask mandate. The order now contains four specific rules for businesses to follow regarding mandatory masking.

  1. Each business will be required to post a Face Covering Requirement sign (version 1 / version 2) at all public entrances of the store.

  2. Each business will be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks.

  3. A new Retail Compliance Unit, comprised of agents led by the Bureau of Workers' compensation, will inspect to ensure compliance.

  4. First violations will receive a written warning, and a second will result in a 24-hour closure of the business.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Coronavirus Update 11-11-2020: Working in an office instead of working from home doubles the risk of contracting COVID-19


You are literally making Covid worse if you are refusing to permit employees to work from home.

According to a recently published CDC study, employees who work in an office setting are nearly twice as likely to contract COVID-19 than employees who work from home.