Several of our employees have talked about having Thanksgiving with large groups of extended family. What can we do to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading into our workplace?

by | Nov 9, 2020 | Business Tips, covid-19, General News

Answer from Kara, JD, SPHR: Assuming you don’t want to make everyone quarantine or argue with employees about their Thanksgiving dinner plans, I’d follow the guidelines used for exposed healthcare workers. Everyone in the workplace should: 1. Wear a mask at all...

We recently hired an older individual whose start date is next Monday, but I would like to push back their start date because we’ve just had an employee test positive for COVID-19. Would this be allowed? We will be testing everyone in the workplace, but I know older employees may be at higher risk.

by | Oct 14, 2020 | covid-19, Human Resources

Answer from Daniel, SHRM-CP: You will need to tread carefully here. Pushing back an employee’s start date because of their age would be a clear case of age discrimination, even if you’re operating with the best of intentions. Age discrimination is illegal under the...

Leading During a Pandemic

by | Sep 22, 2020 | Business Tips, covid-19, General News

No one knows what the workplace is going to look like in three months. COVID-19 continues to spread. School reopening and attendance plans remain tenuous. Further action from Congress is uncertain. Official rules from the Department of Labor might even be struck down...

For leave requests under the FFCRA, can we require proof that the school or place of care is closed?

by | Sep 12, 2020 | covid-19, Time & Attendance

Answer from Celine, SHRM-CP: No. However, you can and should (for IRS documentation) require the following items: The names and ages of the child or children being cared for.The name of the school, place of care, or caregiver that is closed or unavailable due to...

Can I deny FFCRA leave to an employee who has high schoolers attending class remotely who are able to take care of themselves during the day?

by | Sep 12, 2020 | covid-19, Time & Attendance

Answer from Monica, SPHR, SHRM-CP: No. Employees are entitled to emergency FMLA (EFMLA) when they are unable to work or telework because they need to care for a child because the child’s school or place of care has been closed, or the childcare provider is...

DOL Release New Back-to-School FFCRA Guidance

by | Aug 31, 2020 | covid-19, Employment Law

Ever since it became clear that not all schools would be fully reopening for the new school year, employers and employees alike have been wondering how the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) would apply in the variety of new schooling scenarios....