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Safety/Health

States shift mask enforcement to employers

03/16/2021
Employers are free to enforce their own mask rules. However, without government backing, conflicts are sure to emerge. Public-facing employees have expressed fears they must now enforce masking rules alone.

Covid liability waivers may have little value

03/04/2021
Some companies have been so worried about potential liability for coronavirus infections that they have begun requiring customers to sign liability waivers for any illness allegedly acquired at their establishments. And employers are going even further, persuading employees to sign away the right to bring any potential covid-related claims. It’s uncertain whether this tactic will work.

Review coronavirus-safety protocols ASAP

02/25/2021
It’s time to take a fresh look at your coronavirus-safety protocols—because enforcement agencies and even prosecutors may soon be examining them, too.

Offering incentives to get the vaccine? Tread carefully

02/19/2021
If you are considering offering a financial incentive, I caution you to tread carefully to make sure that you do you within the bounds of our equal employment opportunity laws.

False positives? Look out for fake COVID test results

02/19/2021
Increasing reports of people using photo-editing software to doctor COVID test results means employers need to pay more attention.

Require vaccinated staff to mask up, stay apart

02/19/2021
OSHA says that when it comes to setting COVID safety precautions in the workplace, employers should not distinguish between workers who are vaccinated and those who are not. The agency recommends that both groups should continue to wear face coverings and keep six feet apart to prevent spreading the virus.

Employers focus on vaccine education, not mandates

02/16/2021
Less than 1% of employers currently require their employees to receive a covid-19 vaccination and only 6% say they plan to mandate shots once vaccines are readily available, according to a new survey conducted by the Littler Mendelson employment law firm.

4 ways coronavirus has changed work forever

02/16/2021
Patterns are beginning to emerge as to what might be in store as the crisis winds down.

SHRM, business groups want EEOC guidance on vaccine incentives

02/16/2021
Employers need more EEOC guidance on the kinds of incentives they can offer to encourage employees to receive coronavirus vaccinations, according to a coalition of HR and business groups, including the Society for Human Resource Management.

Snapshot: How employers are encouraging covid-19 vaccinations

02/16/2021
Less than 10% of employers say they will require employees to receive the covid-19 vaccine.