Newsletters

07.26.21

Texas Court Tosses Employee Challenge to Vaccine Mandate

A Texas federal court dismissed a lawsuit brought by hospital employees who challenged their employer’s requirement that they receive the COVID-19 vaccine or be terminated, rejecting the argument that the requirement set the employees up for wrongful discharge.


07.26.21

New EEOC Document on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

In recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the anniversary of the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling, the EEOC released a new technical assistance document addressing issues including workplace attire; pronouns and names; and the use of bathrooms, locker rooms and showers.


06.17.21

It’s Official—Vaccinated California Workers Can Go Mask-Free at the Office

As California announced its official statewide reopening on June 15, 2021, employers remained in the dark awaiting an official announcement from Cal/OSHA on new face-covering guidance.


06.16.21

EEOC Updates COVID-19 Guidance on Employee Vaccinations

Providing additional guidance to employers, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released updated and expanded COVID-19 pandemic-related technical assistance in the form of a new Q&A document.


06.16.21

California Employer Dodges Wife’s Suit Over Husband’s COVID-19

Does an employer have a duty to protect an employee’s spouse from becoming infected with COVID-19?


06.16.21

Employee’s EPSLA Claim Survives Motion to Dismiss

An employee who was fired after a positive COVID-19 test can pursue a claim of wrongful termination under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, a federal court in Texas has ruled.


06.16.21

Employee’s Suit Over Possible Termination Due to COVID-19 Moves Forward

An employee who was allegedly terminated for taking several days of medical leave for a respiratory illness that could have been COVID-19 can move his lawsuit forward, a New York federal court has ruled.


05.21.21

Ninth Circuit Sends Statutory Employment Claims to Arbitration

In a new decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit announced a standard for when an employee has waived her rights to judicial remedies—and sent the plaintiff’s employment dispute to arbitration.


05.21.21

SEC Awards $50M to Joint Whistleblowers

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced an award of more than $50 million to a pair of joint whistleblowers, adding to the highest awards the agency has doled out since the program began in 2012.


05.21.21

COVID-Related Legislation in California

In California legislative updates, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 93 into law, requiring that hospitality industry employers offer workers laid off due to COVID-19 positions based on a preference system, while lawmakers continue to debate, in the form of AB 650, a retention bonus for health care ...