New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently added to the New York State Labor Law by signing a bill titled “the New York Retail Worker Safety Act” (“RWSA”). The State Legislature crafted the RWSA to promote retail worker safety...more
The New York State Commissioner of Health’s designation of COVID-19 under the Health & Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”) as an “airborne infectious disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health” ended on...more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today, Jan. 25, 2022, that it is withdrawing its November 5, 2021 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which would have required many private employers with...more
On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in which it ordered a stay on the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) pending disposition...more
1/14/2022
/ Biden Administration ,
Biden v Missouri ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Lack of Authority ,
National Federation of Independent Business v Department of Labor and OSHA ,
OSHA ,
Preliminary Injunctions ,
SCOTUS ,
Stays ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dissolved an order staying enforcement of the emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The ETS requires all...more
On Thursday September 9, 2021, the Biden administration announced a COVID vaccine initiative that will require vaccinations or weekly testing for all federal contractors and for employers with at least 100 employees. The...more
9/13/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Contractors ,
Federal Employees ,
Healthcare Workers ,
OSHA ,
Privately Held Corporations ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
On Sunday, September 6, 2021, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the “designation” of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease under the state’s new Health & Essential Rights Act (the “HERO” Act). The designation...more
As explained in our previous legal alerts, which are available here and here, the New York Health Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”) requires all private employers to, among other things, develop infectious disease exposure...more
New York's recently enacted Health & Essential Rights Act, otherwise called the HERO Act, has been modified.
As discussed in our earlier Alert, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the HERO Act into law in early May. The law...more
New York has updated its COVID-19 guidelines, but they might not be in effect for long. On June 8, 2021, New York updated the reopening guidelines that were initially issued as part of New York’s phased reopening process. ...more
Several regions of New York state moved to Phase 4 of the state's reopening plan today, Friday June 26. Phase 4 is currently designated as the final phase of the state's reopening plan, though some industries remain unclear...more
*Information in this Alert is current as of 4 p.m., June 10, 2020. The alert may be updated as New York clarifies reopening details.
New York State has published guidance for industries permitted to reopen in “Phase Three”...more
6/11/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Massage Therapists ,
New York ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Public Safety ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Social Distancing ,
Tattoos ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
*Information in this Alert is current as of 3 p.m., May 29, 2020; the alert may be updated as New York clarifies reopening details.
In the early morning hours of Friday, May 29, New York State unveiled reopening guidance...more
As explained in our previous legal alert, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced last month that most employers would not be required to determine if workers’ COVID-19...more
Phase One of New York state's reopening is underway for several regions as of Friday May 15. Phase One covers businesses in the following industries:
Construction; -
Manufacturing; -
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and...more
5/18/2020
/ Construction Industry ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Fishing Industry ,
Forestry ,
Hunting ,
Manufacturing Employers ,
New York ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Retailers ,
Wholesale ,
Workplace Safety
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) released new guidance for employers on Friday, April, 10, 2020. The guidance offers helpful clarifications and scales back enforcement of...more
In the latest workplace measure aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19, essential businesses and entities in New York State will be required to provide their employees with "face coverings" no later than 8 p.m. on...more
As the first case of Coronavirus appears in New York state, it is in the best interest of school districts and employers to understand and be prepared for issues related to Coronavirus.
2019 Novel (new) Coronavirus...more