BW INSIGHTS

Iowa Enacts a New Law on Employer Vaccination Mandates and Unemployment Insurance

On October 29, 2021, Iowa passed and enacted House File 902 which establishes new requirements for employers mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees. The new law also affects unemployment benefits for employees who are discharged for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In reviewing the summary below, keep in mind that the law... Read More

An Update on Vaccine Incentives: Can Employers Raise Health Insurance Premiums for Unvaccinated Employees? 

Last week, BrownWinick provided an update on COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace, including anticipated requirements from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). It is expected that these requirements will apply only to certain larger employers, although the anticipated rule is still in its early... Read More

Vaccinations in the Workplace

As the COVID-19 Delta variant spreads, many employers are becoming increasingly concerned about the health and safety of their workforce and have again begun looking toward additional safety measures to combat COVID-19 in the workplace. Such measures include but are not limited to mandatory vaccinations (showing proof of their vaccination status)... Read More

New EEOC Guidance on Vaccinations

As Americans continue to be vaccinated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to CDC recommendations, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID-19 guidance on May 28, 2021, regarding employers and COVID-19 vaccines. The new EEC guidance on vaccinations update is in the form of Q&As relating to mandatory... Read More

OSHA Issues New Standards for Healthcare Employers and Updated its Guidance for Non-Healthcare Employers Regarding COVID-19

On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health and Administration (OSHA) issued new standards for healthcare employers and updated its guidance for non-healthcare employers regarding COVID-19. For non-healthcare employers, the updated guidance relies on and is consistent with the CDC’s recent recommendations that fully vaccinated people may... Read More

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are vital to the success of every business. Diversity and inclusion is a company’s mission, strategies, and practices to support a diverse workplace where individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life are able to participate and contribute comfortably and equally. Successful implementation will improve... Read More

COVID-19 As We Enter May: What Should Employers Be Thinking About?

While legal considerations will vary by business priorities, practicalities, and industry, we have seen several recurring topics on employers’ minds as we begin a new month in this coronavirus pandemic. Below, I’ve outlined a quick list of topics to make sure your company is on top of: Leave requirements under Families First Coronavirus Response... Read More

Small Business Exemption to FFCRA

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) contains a potential exemption for certain small employers who cannot afford to provide the childcare-related paid leave requirements under the FFCRA. Although we are still waiting on the official regulations to be issued by the DOL, there has been additional guidance issued by the DOL in the... Read More

Option for Avoiding Total Layoffs During COVID-19

This is not a new program but has new features to assist employers in trying to avoid layoffs. Iowa Workforce Development describes its “Voluntary Shared Work Program Unemployment Insurance Benefits” (VSW) below: “The program is intended for use as an alternative to layoffs and can be an effective tool for Iowa businesses experiencing a temporary... Read More