Friday, July 31, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-31-2020: 41,214 reasons not to fire employees who request FFCRA leave


A San Jose, California, manufacturer has reached an agreement with the Department of Labor's Wage & Hour Division to pay 17 employees $41,214 for wrongly denying their requests for paid coronavirus sick leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Specifically (and much worse than that description sounds), the employer terminated each of the 17 employees after they requested paid leave under the FFCRA. 

According to the DOL, "The employer's action resulted in a violation of the FFCRA."

No kidding!

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-30-2020: Ohio needs to fix its unemployment system, 𝗻𝗼𝘄


The State of Ohio has temporarily frozen its Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, as the Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services investigates what it believes are more than 275,000 fraudulent claims that have flooded the system.

The CARES Act created Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment benefits because of a coronavirus related reason. 

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-29-2020: SAFE TO WORK Act would offer employers a significant shield from employee COVID-19 lawsuits


Earlier this week, Senate Republican introduced their $1 trillion COVID-19 economic stimulus package. Among other proposals the bill contains the SAFE TO WORK Act [pdf], which would provide employers a significant shield from liability for lawsuits related to coronavirus exposure by requiring gross negligence or willful misconduct that actually causes a personal injury before liability could attach. 

Employers would receive significant protections from employment-related COVID-19 lawsuits brought by employees. 

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-28-2020: Do you know what to do when an employee tests positive?


Yesterday, the Miami Marlins announced that 14 members of its organization—12 players and two coaches—have tested positive for coronavirus. Most appallingly, however, is a report that the team decided via text message to play its scheduled Sunday game in Philadelphia despite the rash of positive tests. Ignoring the irresponsible selfishness of that decision, it also almost certainly violates Major League Baseball's 100-plus page COVID-19 operations manual, which instructs teams how to handle a positive test. I can guarantee that "tell no one; play your game anyway" is not the recommended best practice.

Other than, "Don't do what the Marlins did," what can we learn from this fiasco in how to handle a positive test among your workforce?

Monday, July 27, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-27-2020: If your employee treats COVID-19 like a hoax


At the always fabulous Ask a Manager, Alison Green posts the following question:

One of my employees has been vocal about the coronavirus being a hoax. I had to have a talk with him during our last few days in the office at the end of March because he was openly criticizing and mocking coworkers for "being afraid of the flu" and practicing social distancing. While the rest of us isolated and worked at home, he went on two different vacations out of the state and did not isolate upon returning as required.

We're now phasing people back into the office, and he believes that all of the safety guidelines are violating his freedom. He still won't practice social distancing without being told, he will not wear a mask without being told, and he even planned another vacation when the company has asked us not to travel except in the case of emergencies. … 
I am at an absolute loss regarding how to get this employee to take these safety precautions seriously when he still sees the coronavirus as a political issue instead of a public health issue. I am very worried that he will bring the virus into the office and get others sick. Do you have any advice for handling this employee and protecting the rest of my staff?

Friday, July 24, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-24-2020: New music Friday … live from the Rock Hall


In-person live music has been in short supply over the past four months. Like many, I’ve missed it very, very much. Last Sunday, however, I got to experience live music for an hour, on the plaza in front of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

School of Rock's Junior House Band (in which Norah has played for the past five years, and which will come to end for her after this summer as she ages out) played a stripped-down and socially distant acoustic set of some of their covers. School of Rock also opened the gig to members of the band who wanted the opportunity to play their original music. Needless to say, Norah jumped at the chance to debut not one, not two, but three of her original songs: "Boys Like You," "Tone Deaf Explanations," and "Pas de Pluie, Pas de Fleurs" (written and sung in French). 

If you're going to debut your original music, it might as well be at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Enjoy! I know we did. 


Everyone have a healthy, safe, socially distant, and masked weekend.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-23-2020: The FFCRA implications of schools reopening


With schools set to reopen over the next four to six weeks, your employees will be asking for time off from work if their children will be distancing learning for any part of the upcoming school year. The FFCRA provides for up to 80 hours of paid sick leave and 12 weeks of expanded FMLA Leave (the latter 10 of which are paid) for employees who are caring for their child(ren) whose school has been closed because of COVID-19 precautions.

The question of whether employees are entitled to take leave under the FFCRA for children who are distance learning this school year will depend on why they are distancing learning this year.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-22-2020: Telemedicine and the FMLA


Earlier this week, the Department of Labor published a three new sets of FAQs—COVID-19 and the FLSACOVID-19 and the FMLA, and updated FAQs on the FFCRA.

By and large the FAQs don't break new ground. But one of the FMLA questions caught my attention.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Non-Coronavirus Update 7-21-2020: Employment law issues I missed covering during the pandemic


Today, I thought I put COVID-19 on a virtual pause and take a look at some employment law issues I missed covering over the past couple of months. Here are 10 stories that jumped to mind.

Monday, July 20, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-20-2020: How do you reopen schools without teachers?


We want to reopen the schools. Everybody wants it. The moms want it, the dads want it, the kids want it. It’s time to do it.


It's sort of true that everyone wants schools to reopen. President Trump's message omits one key word—safely. Everybody wants the schools safely to reopen. And one of the current coronavirus topic du jour is what safely reopening schools looks like. No matter where you fall on the debate between the CDC and President Trump, there remains one issue that isn't getting nearly enough attention—the teachers.

Friday, July 17, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-17-2020: It’s a scary world at there, and I’m not just talking about the virus


I thought it was an innocent enough tweet.


And then came the replies.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-16-2020: A letter to Ohio — we’re all in this together; let’s all start acting like it


To my fellow Ohioans,

Last evening, Governor DeWine scolded many of you for not doing your part in helping to stop the spread of coronavirus. I took it as a warning; if we don't start acting responsibly, he will have no choice but to mandate masks and even shut down parts of the state. If that happens, we will have no one else to blame but ourselves (or at least some of us).

For anyone who has refused to wear a mask in public, this is your fault.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-15-2020: OSHA updates its mealy-mouthed facial covering FAQs (again)


OSHA has, yet again, updated its Frequently Asked Questions to advise employers about the use of face masks in the workplace during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.


Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-14-2020: Should employers be testing employees for COVID-19?


Fortune magazine asks: "Why some companies are screening employees for COVID-19, while others have opted out?" This is a legitimate question. 

Let's start with the law. Does the law (in this case, the ADA) permit an employer to test employees for COVID-19? Yes, an employer absolutely may administer a COVID-19 test before permitting employees to enter the workplace. 

Monday, July 13, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-13-2020: Hopelessness


Today's post was either going to discuss mandatory temperature checks for employees or reopening schools. Instead, however, today will be a mental health checkup, because mine hasn't been great.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-9-2020: The 6th nominee for the “worst employer of 2020” is … the working mom sacker


Let this woman's Instagram post sink in, and then let’s talk about why it's wrong to fire a mom working from home (allegedly) because she has to spend some time tending to her children.

View this post on Instagram

| 28 days ago I finally had enough of the 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 that my boss was giving me for him not being okay with hearing my kids in the background on calls.|😭😡😖💔 . He wanted me to figure out a way to keep the kids quiet 😣. I went to Human Resources with proof of what was going for the last 3 months and 7 days later AFTER that 𝗜 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱!!!! 😭 They told me that I should be happy that the outcome to my career there could have been worse. I’m crying as I type this...😭 I was told I had a bright future. That I was doing very well in my position! 💔💔💔😭💔😭 . The last 3 months I have worked around the clock from home while watching my two toddlers😭. I have met all the deadlines they have asked me for, even the unrealistic ones. The situation that I had endured the last 3 months is beyond stressful😭. How does a company that says that they understand and will work around the schedule of parents do the complete opposite with their actions? 😭 I’m devastated. I have poured hours, tears, sweats, delayed giving my child a snack when he wanted one because my boss needed me to do something right away. And what did I get in return? 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗!!! 😭😭😭😭😭 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 . They can keep the 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗵 money they offered to not bring this up🚫🛑✋! No working mother should be discriminated against , especially during these times for not being able to keep my 𝟭 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 for a business call 😡For not being able to turn something around in 5 minutes when my baby wants a snack😡. We are in tough times right now. This situation would have been temporary. None of my clients had issues with my kids in the background. 𝗜'𝗺 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 ! 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆!!!💪. IT’S NOT OKAY to have to feel that your boss is making you pick your work over your kids during these times!!!𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗢𝗞𝗔𝗬!!! #justice

A post shared by Hi, I'm 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘀| MODERN CALI MOM (@moderncalimom) on


Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-8-2020: A tale of two mask orders


Yesterday, Ohio announced that face coverings will be required at all times when out in public in seven surging counties—Butler, Franklin, Hamilton, Huron, Montgomery, Trumbull, and my county, Cuyahoga. The mandate applies as long as a county remains designated a Red Alert Level 3 Public Health Emergency county per the state's new tiered Public Health Advisory System, and requires facial coverings: 

  • In any outdoor public space when a person is unable to maintain physical separation of not less than six feet from others who are not members of the person's household.
  • In any indoor space open and accessible to the public, including while waiting in line to enter such indoor space.
  • Inside any public transportation and any ride-share vehicle when it is not possible to maintain physical separation of not less than six feet from others who are not members of the person's household.

Ohio's mandate takes effect at 6 p.m. today.

Similarly yesterday, Cuyahoga County proposed its own rule that would also require people to wear face coverings in the same places, regardless of whether the county is designated Red Alert Level 3.

That, however, is where the similarities end.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-7-2020: Do you know the difference between quarantine and isolation?


During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we've heard the words "quarantine" and "isolation" used a lot. While a thesaurus might list them as synonymous, in this context they are not. 

According to the CDCquarantine keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others and helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick; isolation separates people who are infected with the virus from people who are not infected.

Because these terms serve different purposes during this pandemic, these also have different recommended courses of action.

Monday, July 6, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-6-2020: Telsa fires workers for staying home after giving them permission to stay home … and after they complain about safety


"Carlos, there is no need to feel that you are going to lose your job. If at this time you do not feel comfortable returning to work, you can stay home without penalty and take the time unpaid."

That email, sent from Tesla's acting human resources director to a now terminated employee, will be central to that employee's wrongful termination lawsuit pending against the automaker.

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Coronavirus Update 7-2-2020: Employee claims his remote-work request got him fired, sues


An employee suffers from high blood pressure and lives with his 81-year-old mother. He's an engineer and began working from home for his employer in mid-March when his state shut down non-essential businesses. His employer, however, remained open, and several weeks later required him to return to in-person work in the office. He refused, requesting continued work from home. The company refused that request and fired him for job abandonment. The employee sued for disability discrimination.