The week of November 15th, OSHA announced it was suspending implementation and enforcement of its new vaccine or test emergency temporary standards (ETS). They gave no indication of when the suspension would be lifted or when enforcement would begin but only acknowledged that there had been multiple cases filed in the courts challenging their statutory […]
OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19 Delayed Read More »
On September 9, 2021, President Biden released a general description of the COVID-19 action plan he wants to implement in this country’s battle against COVID-19 and its variants. Probably the most highlighted and controversial provision in the plan is the requirement placed upon private employers to make sure their employees are either vaccinated or provide
Overwhelmed and Confused: Employers React to President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan Read More »
The Ohio Industrial Commission has just announced that in-person hearings are scheduled to resume on July 6, 2021. During the pandemic, hearings were conducted telephonically and through web conferencing. However, because legislation enabling the Industrial Commission to conduct hearings remotely is expiring, in-person hearings will be resuming. Hearing notices informing parties of the change in
Return to In-Person Workers’ Compensation Hearings Read More »
On December 2, 2020, the CDC updated its guidelines for employers to help them determine when an employee must quarantine, if they have had contact with a positive COVID-19 (“COVID”) individual, and how long an employee must stay home from work if they are suffering from symptoms from COVID or have tested positive for COVID.
Quarantine and Return to Work Timelines for COVID-19: The New 7/10 Day Rules Read More »
In a landmark 6 to 3 vote, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited under federal civil rights law. Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, No. 17-1618, decided June 15, 2020. The decision was based on the cases of two gay
With the total number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio continuing to increase every day, along with the number of deaths and extended hospitalizations, there is no doubt that we will soon see workers’ compensation claims filed for COVID-19 illnesses. Under the current workers’ compensation laws in Ohio, there are two types of occupational disease claims
Defending a COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Claim Read More »
With the reopening of Ohio’s economy under the new restart plan, employers and business groups are raising concerns over the impact of continued unemployment compensation benefits and the additional weekly boost of $600.00 from the federal government for recipients. Normally, unemployment benefits can be denied or terminated if an offer of work is refused without
On April 27, 2020, Governor DeWine announced Ohio’s initial plan for restarting the economy beyond the limited activities allowed under the Department of Health’s stay at home orders issued in March and April. Only essential businesses and certain health care facilities were allowed to remain open during the initial lockout phase. The new restart plan
Ohio’s Responsible Restart Plan Read More »
On April 10, 2020, the Administrator for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Stephanie B. McCloud, announced that the governing board for the Bureau had unanimously approved a new 1.6 billion dollar rebate for Ohio employers. The Bureau hopes to have the checks out within the next thirty days. The Administrator indicated that the rebate
As we previously communicated, the Ohio Industrial Commission began conducting workers\’ compensation hearings by phone as of March 18, 2020 in response to Covid-19. We have learned that the Industrial Commission will be changing the procedure for the hearings effective April 27, 2020. Beginning on that date, the Hearing Officers will no longer be initiating
Update to Ohio’s workers’ compensation phone hearings Read More »
In an effort to stay ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic and to diminish its impact on Ohio’s citizens and businesses, Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, issued her now famous “stay at home” order which became effective at midnight on March 23, 2020. Unless your business qualified as an essential business, you
Ohio’s Stay at Home Order and Its Impact on Employers Read More »
As you are aware, the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has had an unprecedented impact on the national and state economies. All levels of government, and all businesses and their employees, have felt that impact in one form or another. This has given rise to some unique and pressing legal issues involving safety,
We Are Open to Serve You During this Difficult Time Read More »