On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order which directed the Federal Trade Commission to curtail the use of non-competes nation-wide in order to help promote competition and expand the economy. At the moment, only three states forbid the use of non-compete clauses in employment agreements: California, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Nearly one
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Judge Dismisses Hospital Workers’ Law Suit Over Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations
Houston Methodist Hospital was sued earlier this year by 117 unvaccinated employees. The workers claimed that the hospital’s mandatory vaccination policy violated public policy because the vaccines at issue were approved by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) rather than through the typical lengthier process. The workers alleged that they were being forced
EEOC Updates and Clarifies Vaccine Guidance
If there is anything we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that the more things stay the same, the more they change. That’s right. Most of us have adopted a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to questions like masks on or off, mandating vaccines or strongly suggesting, and how much information
Massachusetts Enacts Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave Law Extending COVID-19 Paid Time Off Through September
Beginning on May 28, 2021 and extending through the end of September, Massachusetts employees will be eligible for up to 40 hours of Emergency Paid Sick Leave providing paid time off for qualifying reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Hampshire Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions on Businesses
Effective May 8, 2021, the State of New Hampshire will replace the existing “Safer at Home 2.0” restrictions with a series of “Universal Best Practices” for all individuals, businesses, and organizations to consider and implement for the operation of their business. In rolling out the new guidance, Governor Sununu noted that the goal
Governor Baker to Lift Mask Restrictions
Governor Charlie Baker announced on Tuesday, April 27 that as of April 30 masks will no longer be required in outdoor settings. Social distancing, however, must still be maintained.
Effective Monday, May 10, large indoor and outdoor venues will be allowed to increase capacity to 25%. Effective May 29, various other venues such as bars
Are Exit Interviews Worth the Time and Effort?
In a March 21, 2021 article the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) advised businesses to be prepared for a turnover “tsunami” once the pandemic ends. Although turnover rates were high pre-pandemic, they stalled as employees settled in to whatever their personal situation might have been during the shutdown. Research and consulting firm, The Work
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Requires Employers to Pay Employee COBRA Premiums Until September 30, 2021
On April 7th, the United States Department of Labor issued detailed guidance and model notices to assist employers in implementing the COBRA premium assistance requirement under Section 9501 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP).
The ARP requires employers to provide a 100 percent COBRA premium subsidy – between April 1, 2021
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: What Does It Mean for Employers?
President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, into law. This post provides details of the bill which includes stimulus checks for individuals earning below certain income thresholds, aid to state and local governments, and money to support vaccine and testing programs, among other things.
This post provides
Podcast: Creating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
In the latest episode of McLane Middleton Minutes, Charla Stevens, chair of the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group, interviews Courtney Kovach, HR Manager at Game Creek Video, on creating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Click here to listen to the episode, or find it on your favorite podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music,