BW INSIGHTS

New EEOC Guidance on Vaccinations

By Danielle Smid | 06.21.2021

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

By Danielle Smid | 06.13.2021

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

State of Iowa Ending Participation in COVID-Related Unemployment Programs Next Month

By BrownWinick | 05.12.2021

Citing a strong labor market, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced yesterday that on June 12, 2021, the state will be ending its participation in federal COVID-related unemployment benefit programs. These enhanced unemployment benefits were made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act of 2020, and provide... Read More

Pandemic Poses Potential Re-Entry Problems for Lawful Permanent Residents Abroad

By BrownWinick | 05.03.2021

We are now several weeks beyond the one-year anniversary of the declaration by the World Health Organization recognizing COVID-19 as a global pandemic. While historic vaccine rollout accelerates across the United States, worldwide vaccine distribution efforts display inequities elsewhere. Moreover, travel restrictions, lockdowns, quarantine orders... Read More

NLRB Acting General Counsel Calls for “Vigorous Enforcement” and Expansion of Employee Protections

By BrownWinick | 04.15.2021

On March 31, 2021, Peter Sung Ohr, the Acting General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), issued a memorandum calling for the “vigorous enforcement” of employee protections under the National Labor Relations Act. The memorandum forecasts a significant shift in strategy for the NLRB’s policing of employee relations in union and... Read More

Don’t Jump the Gun on COVID-19 Recovery: Employers and Business Owners Should Review OSHA Compliance

By Benjamin Merrill | 03.24.2021

In February, a U.S. House sub-committee launched an investigation into how major meat processors and OSHA responded to COVID-19. During the prior administration, OSHA issued only eight COVID-related citations. With a new administration in charge, we anticipate renewed energy and enforcement from OSHA in the coming year. Employers should make a... Read More

IWD Adopts New Rule in Response to COVID-19 and the Federal CARES Act

By Casey Alesch | 03.23.2021

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) has adopted a new rule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal CARES Act that requires employers to notify their employees of the availability of unemployment insurance upon separation or a reduction of hours. Prior to the emergency enactment of this new rule in August of 2020, Iowa employers were... Read More

H-1B Cap Season FY 2022: Are we Already Seeing Influence from the Biden Administration?

By BrownWinick | 02.12.2021

One thing to be said about the former Trump Administration is that change was constant. That was especially true in the context of immigration. Although the outgoing Administration sought to have influence over the FY 2022 H-1B season by implementing a wage-based selection process through last-minute rule changes, the Department of Homeland... Read More

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Changes You Should Know

By BrownWinick | 09.14.2020

A decision out of New York prompted the Department of Labor (DOL) to issue a revised rule on the FFCRA which is scheduled to take effect 9/16/2020. The revisions cover five main areas: The Department reaffirms that paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave may be taken only if the employee has work from which to take leave and explains... Read More

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

By Danielle Smid | 08.27.2020

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