March 9, 2020
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COVID-19 and Work


Employers and employees have questions about what steps they should be taking to help protect against COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. We have compiled some useful resources to help you understand what actions to take at this time when there is so much uncertainty surrounding this situation.

Coronavirus - Workplace Considerations for Employers

We want to share this useful summary Fox Rothschild LLP put together to answer common questions from employers, including, "can we tell other employees about an employee who has or may have the coronavirus?" and "can we ask employees to stay home if we suspect they may have the coronavirus or have been exposed to the coronavirus?”

CDC - Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

This government issued resource includes tips for employers on how to keep the workplace Coronavirus free, and how to create a plan if there is an outbreak in the US.

Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19

The World Health Organization put together information about dealing with the current outbreak including: ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace; how to manage risks when organizing meetings & events; travel considerations; and, getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community. WHO also frequently updates this resource- Q&A on Coronaviruses.

Your local health department also can provide guidance for dealing with the uncertainty created by this outbreak. Please feel free to contact us if we can help with any questions regarding how to address COVID-19 in your workplace.

 

New York State Human Rights Law Invoked in Sexual Harassment Arbitration Case

August 11, 2020
Sexual Harassment
A split has appeared in how to handle sexual harassment cases with a New York trial judge ruling recently that the state’s Human Rights Law prevents companies and employees from entering arbitration over sexual harassment. This contradicts an earlier ruling in New York’s Southern District where a judge ruled that arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) supersedes New York’s statutory prohibition against arbitration.

The First Recession for Women

August 11, 2020
Gender Discrimination
There is a new feature to the pandemic-induced recession that has decimated employment, manufacturing, child care, education, and just about every other facet of life. It is women, not men who are the most greatly affected by the force of the shutdown.

The Berke-Weiss Law Weekly Roundup: Black Pregnancy in New York City and School Reopening Reversals

August 10, 2020
Race Discrimination
Pregnancy Discrimination
We’re now a week into the expiration of the enhanced unemployment benefits of the CARES Act and the news is not good. Congress and the White House remain at least a trillion of dollars apart on a new deal, with the Senate GOP split, though their prized bit of the CARES Act, the corporate bailout, did not have an expiration date, unlike those parts aimed at protecting workers, such as the PUA and eviction moratoriums. Thus, with depressing predictability, there were a spate of alarming stories this week echoing the fears that tenant unions and activists have been voicing for months: by ending employment relief we are hurtling toward a cliff, over which lies massive, nationwide evictions.

Get In Touch

Knowing where to turn in legal matters can make a big difference. Contact our employment lawyers to determine if we can help you.