March - 2020

EEOC's "Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the ADA"

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) the federal agency which enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act amongst other equal employment opportunity laws has published a helpful document entitled "Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act." THE EEOC advises: "Employers and employees should follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as state/local public health authorities

Stay of Non-Enforcement Issued: Families First Coronavirus Response Act through 4/17/20

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a Temporary Non-Enforcement Period concerning the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through April 17, 2020 so long as employers have made a "good faith" and reasonable effort to comply with the law. Guidelines were published by DOL in a document entitled "Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2020-1" and appear in pertinent part below: ..... Enforcement Guidance The Department (of Labor) will not bring enforcement a

Amazon, Instacart grocery workers strike amidst concerns about COVID-19

Amazon warehouse workers employed in Staten Island in New York, one of the states hardest hit by COVID-19, and Instacart grocery delivery workers announced plans to strike today. These workers are demanding additional COVID-19 safety health and safety protection and increased pay. Last week, the Washington Post reported ten Amazon warehouse workers tested positive for the corona virus. Chris Smalls, a management assistant employed at the Amazon Staten Island warehouse and lea

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act

Please watch the following brief video for a synopsis on the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA").

Workplace violence prevention in the COVID-19 era

As WVPI founder Kathleen M. Bonczyk discussed during a National Public Radio interview following last year's catastrophic event at the Virginia Beach Municipal Building, under so-called "normal" circumstances, (i.e. pre-COVID-19), at least 2,000.000 Americans experienced workplace violence each year. (Go here to listen to Ms. Bonczyk's NPR interview): https://www.npr.org/2019/06/04/729510916/at-least-2-million-or-more-americans-experience-workplace-violence The impact of the

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 18, 2020, the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA") was signed into law. Like the Family and Medical Leave Act, the FFCRA is administered and enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. Amongst other protections, the FFCRA requires paid leave time to certain qualifying employees who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For further information from the United States Department of Labor concerning the FFC

FMLA: Exactly which family members are covered?

Do you know which family members with serious health conditions may an employee apply for Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") protected leave to care for? Watch the following brief video for the answers: The FMLA is administered by the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. For more information from the agency concerning FMLA, go here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla

List of banks offering mortgage relief during COVID-19

A concern to homeowners with existing mortgages is how to continue making payments as more employers reduce working hours and even cease operations entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo credit: Forbes.com Forbes.com has compiled a listing of banks who have offered affected homeowners with mortgage relief. It is anticipated this list may grow. Thus if your bank is not yet listed here, check back. Go here to learn more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/03/12/li

SBA announces resources available for small businesses in the states and territories of the US impac

Small businesses whose operations have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 may obtain low interest loans to assist in coping with the effects of COVID-19, the United States Small Business Administration ("SBA") announces. To learn more about the SBA's "Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program" go here: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

US Dept. of Labor states employees need not quit their jobs to receive unemployment

The United States Department of Labor ("DOL") has issued guidelines for the states concerning their unemployment policies and procedures in which DOL clarifies that employees do not need to quit their jobs to obtain unemployment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines state in pertinent part: "...Under the guidance, federal law permits significant flexibility for states to amend their laws to provide UI benefits in multiple scenarios related to COVID-19. For examp

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Workplace Violence Prevention Institute - WVPI

a not-for-profit organization

Providing Workplace Violence Prevention Research, Education and Training