Paid family and medical leave reportedly DROPPED from Biden’s economic plan

I was so hopeful when I learned that Presiden Biden's economic plan included paid family and medical leave. Then we heard reports that two Democratic Senators, West Virginia's Joe Manchin and Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema, were holding up the bill over its reported $3.5 trillion price tag. That led to reports that the paid family leave allotment would be cut to only 4 weeks, still a transformational change for American employees and employers, but significantly less than that which any other industrialized nation provides its employees.

Now, it's being reported that Democrats have eliminated paid family leave from the bill entirely to appease Manchin and get a bill passed. From NBC News:

Coronavirus Update 10-27-2021: No, employers, you can’t fire employees who complain about Covid health and safety issues

An employee sends this email to all of his coworkers: "It has come to my attention that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. I feel it is important to inform all employees of the current situation."

An hour later management fires that employee. Their reason? His job was to fix cars, not police positive Covid tests in the workplace. 

That's exactly what the Department of Labor alleges happened at an Austin, Texas, car dealership in December 2020. Earlier this month, the agency filed suit under section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety & Health Act, which protects employees from retaliation for exercising their rights under the Act.

Coronavirus Update 10-26-2021: EEOC updated Covid-19 technical guidance to address religious vaccine objections

Religious accommodations to vaccine mandates continue to be the number one issue occupying the time and energy of HR practitioners and employment lawyers. Yesterday, the EEOC updated its Covid-19 technical assistance specifically to address vaccine-related religious objections and accommodation requests.

Coronavirus Update 10-25-2021: Lawsuits challenging employer vaccine mandates are borderline frivolous

More than 130 employees of the City of Chicago have filed a lawsuit against their employer challenging its Covid-19 vaccine mandate. CNN has the details:

"The mandate, and the Executive Orders, violate the constitutional and fundamental rights of those who either choose not to be vaccinated, or choose not to disclose their vaccination status to either the state, or their employers," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit will fail. Period.

WIRTW #601: the “What’s in your queue?” edition

Ted Lasso has no new episodes until next August. I binged Squid Game a couple of weeks ago. I need something new to fill my nights on the couch. So this is me, crowdsourcing you, my readers, for some recommendations. 

What should I watch next, and, most importantly, why? 

Make your best case in the comments below, tag me on Twitter with the hashtag #JonWatchThis, or drop a comment on LinkedIn here.

Here are the best things I read online this past week that I think you should be reading, too.

Coronavirus Update 10-21-2021: Nick Rolovich v. Pope Francis

Compare the following two statements, and then let's talk.

1. "It is a tragic and damning commentary on our culture … that Coach Rolovich has been derided, demonized, and ultimately fired from his job, merely for being devout in his Catholic faith."

2. "Being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love. And contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love."

Statement number one: the lawyer for Nick Rolovich, the former head football coach at Washington State University, who the University just terminated for refusing to get vaccinated pursuant to its mandate.

Statement number two: Pope Francis.

Coronavirus Update 10-20-2021: How to spot a fake vaccine card

The NHL has suspended San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane 21 games for violating the League's Covid-19 protocol. His offense: supplying a fake vaccination card. 

Fake vaccine cards are out in the world, easy to find, and easy to use. Their use is also a federal crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison and grounds for termination of employment. Yet, as workplace vaccine mandates become more prevalent (and soon federally mandated), more anti-vax and vaccine-hesitant employees will take the risk instead of losing their jobs.

Do you know how to spot a fake vaccine card? Here are some telltale signs.