Blog Posts: Taking Care of HR Business
Visit the Full BlogHuman resource professionals, supervisors, and company executives alike face a constantly changing and evolving legal landscape. Verrill's Taking Care of HR Business blog is here to keep you up to date on the newest and most important legal developments for employers.
Breaking: OSHA Releases Emergency Temporary Standard for Employers with 100 or More Employees
IMPORTANT UPDATE- 11-11-21 The federal court of appeals for the Fifth Circuit has suspended OSHA’s Temporary Emergency Standard in response to a lawsuit filed last Friday by a number of Plaintiffs, which included the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Utah. The Court cited “grave statutory and...
Myth Buster: Employers, Vaccine Information, and HIPAA
With the nation’s ongoing focus on COVID-19 vaccinations, you may be hearing information—and misinformation—about your obligations under HIPAA, the federal Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. In this segment of Myth Busters , we address some common misconceptions about HIPAA and its applicability to employers and employee health information...
Myth Buster: Employees Do Not Have to Be Affiliated With An Organized Religion to Be Entitled To A Religious Accommodation
This is the third in a series of posts from Verrill with the purpose of helping to dispel myths that are currently circulating concerning employment laws and rules related to COVID-19 and vaccine mandates. A myth we have been hearing from clients and friends is that in order for...
HR Power Hour with Robert Brooks- What's Covered? COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to fellow Verrill labor and employment attorney Robert Brooks , about vaccine mandates at work. This episode discusses how the government has authority to mandate vaccines at work, how to implement a vaccine mandate...
HR Power Hour with Humza Khan – First Five Steps for DE&I
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Humza Khan, founder of Inclusion Maine, about all things diversity, equity and inclusion. This episode discusses the foundation of building a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program and the first five steps any organization...
Myth Buster: There is Not a General Testing Alternative for Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate
This is the first in a series of posts from Verrill with the purpose of helping to dispel myths that are currently circulating concerning employment laws and rules related to COVID-19. On September 24, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued draft Guidance for Federal Contractors entitled COVID-19 Workplace...
Myth Buster: If Your Company Receives Federal Funds the Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandated Obligations Does Not Automatically Apply
This is the second in a series of posts from Verrill with the purpose of helping to dispel myths that are currently circulating concerning employment laws and rules related to COVID-19. On September 24, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued draft Guidance for Federal Contractors entitled COVID-19 Workplace...
What Does The Proposed Federal Minimum Wage Mean For My Business?
On July 22, 2021 the U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule titled “Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors” [1] formalizing the Biden Administration’s Executive Order 14026. The rule calls for federal contractors to pay their workers $15/hour and tipped workers $10.50/hour beginning on January 30, 2022. Both...
Employers Check Your Handbooks: New NLRB General Counsel Sets Course
On August 12, 2021 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Abruzzo published her first memo setting forth the NLRB’s priorities. The memo identifies recent cases where the Board overruled past legal precedent in addition to noting several areas as requiring careful examination. One of the doctrinal shifts the...
Federal Vaccine Mandates – What We Know and What We Don’t
On September 9, President Biden announced plans to require that federal workers, federal contractors, and employees of employers with 100 or more employees are vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force have been tasked with drafting regulations...
HR Power Hour with Scot Mattox - What's Covered? Identifying Impairment in the Workplace
On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Verrill attorney Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Scot Mattox, Esq., CEO of Dirigo Safety, LLC, about identifying impairment in the workplace and the services that Dirigo Safety, LLC offers to companies to help educate leaders as to best practices related...
This Week's Show: Beth Smith – What’s Covered? Workers’ Compensation 101
On Saturday, August 7, Tawny Alvarez, Verrill attorney and co-host of HR Power Hour, interviewed fellow Verrill attorney Elizabeth Smith for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, Tawny and Beth discuss pre-existing injuries, emotional wellness, stress, a skiing accident—are they covered by workers’ compensation? Beth has...
Connecticut Employers Take Note – Cease Seeking Past Pay Information
Big changes are coming to Connecticut employers and with it, many organizational hiring practices with the passage of HB Number 6380. HB Number 6380 limits the disclosure of wage information from past positions. Currently, Connecticut employers are prohibited from asking (or directing a third party to ask) about an...
Future of Non-Competes: Insights into Executive Order Promoting Competition in the American Economy
President Biden’s June 9 th Executive Order (EO) on Promoting Competition in the American Economy touches on a handful of potential measures and initiatives aimed at promoting competition throughout the U.S. workforce. Section 5(g) of the EO, which specifically relates to non-compete agreements, states: “To address agreements that may...
This Week's Show: New Tools to Coach, Counsel, and Cheer
On Saturday, July 17, David Ciullo, co-host of HR Power Hour, interviewed Christopher Lee, the Chief Human Resources Officer for William & Mary, for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, David and Chris discuss how Leaders need new tools to coach, counsel, and cheer their teams...
This Week's Show: COVID-19 and Return to Work
On Saturday, July 10, Tawny interviewed Emily Waddell, Associate Attorney in Verrill's Employment & Labor Group, for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, Tawny and Emily discuss returning to work and COVID-19. Emily provides tailored legal solutions to support her client’s human capital and organizational objectives...
This Week's Show: Innovation and Leadership Skills Needed in 2021 and Beyond
On Saturday, July 3, David Ciullo, co-host of HR Power Hour, interviewed Ryan Estis, national speaker, consultant, coach, and advisor , for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, David and Ryan discuss innovation and leadership skills needed in 2021 and moving forward. Ryan understands the challenges...
This Week's Show: Wellness for Modern Teams
On Saturday, June 26, Tawny interviewed Mike Vien, CEO and Co-founder of Wallit, for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, Tawny and Mike discuss wellness for modern teams. Mike Vien is the CEO and co-founder of Wallit, an enterprise wellness platform for modern teams. For more...
OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard for Healthcare Settings
Earlier today (June 10, 2021), OSHA issued COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) Subpart U applicable to healthcare settings. While OSHA has indicated that future guidance may be provided for other industries, today’s guidance is limited to the healthcare setting. The first question: Does the ETS apply to your organization...
Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Forms
As many readers know, on May 28, 2021, An Act Providing for Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave was passed. The Act creates a fund for the Commonwealth to reimburse eligible employers who provide employees with COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave. This statute provides that between May 28, 2021...
This Week's Show: Navigating the Medical Minefield Today
On Saturday, June 5, David Ciullo, co-host of HR Power Hour, interviewed Dr. Shantanu Nundy , Chief Medical Officer of Accolade, for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, David and Dr. Nundy discuss how to navigate the medical minefield of today. Shantanu is a physician, entrepreneur...
This Week's Show: Change Leadership
On Saturday, June 5, Tawny interviewed Mary Axelsen, WeMaax Consulting Founder & CEO, for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, Tawny and Mary discuss CARE Change Framework and the work that WeMaax Consulting does in the Change Leadership arena. Mary comes with 20 years of experience...
Public Accommodation Laws and Vaccination Inquiries
Last week, the EEOC provided updated COVID-19 guidance to employers on vaccines and vaccine incentives in the employment realm. One area, however, in which the agencies has been silent is in the public accommodation space and what organizations can/must/should do to protect themselves and their employees from claims of...
ICE Extends I-9 Compliance Flexibility
Those responsible for employee onboarding can breathe a sigh of relief after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week announced that they would extend flexibilities that were instituted last year as a result of COVID-19. Specifically, the announcement extends the agency’s previous rules until August 31, 2021. The rule...
This Week's Show: Identifying Impairment in the Workforce
On Saturday, May 29, Tawny interviewed Scot Mattox, CEO of Dirigo Safety, for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, Tawny and Scot discuss identifying impairment in the workforce. Scot Mattox retired in September 2013 as a Sergeant with the Portland Police Department after 26 years in...
This Week's Show: What is Covering?
On Saturday, May 15, Tawny interviewed Elizabeth Johnston, Associate in Verrill's Employment & Labor Group, for this segment of HR Power Hour. For this episode, Liz and Tawny discuss what it means to cover in the workplace, as well as HR best practices for diversity and inclusion. A regular...
“Policies to Guide Employee Conduct and Respond to Misconduct,” a chapter in MCLE’s Drafting Employment Documents in Massachusetts
Scott Connolly , partner in Verrill’s Employment & Labor Group, has authored the chapter “Policies to Guide Employee Conduct and Respond to Misconduct” in MCLE’s book, Drafting Employment Documents in Massachusetts (4th Edition 2021). The book is published by MCLE and is an essential resource for Massachusetts employers, employment...
COVID-19 Vaccination Policies: Top 4 Legal Concerns
There are many unresolved legal questions to consider when it comes to COVID vaccination employee policies. Employment and labor attorney Tawny Alvarez and MP’s HR consulting team have compiled key advice for reducing legal risk when it comes to COVID vaccination. To learn about four major areas of legal...
The COVID Vaccine: HR Policy Development Playbook
In March 2021, we worked with MP HR & Payroll Solutions who created an eBook as a resource for employers, "The COVID Vaccine: HR Policy Development Playbook," that assists employers on what to do about the COVID-19 vaccine and employees begin to return to work. The guide covers vaccination...
NLRB General Counsel Says “Rat’s It”: Scabby the Rat Here to Stay
Who is Scabby? Scabby is an inflatable rat, sometimes installed by unions at protests and on picket lines. Scabby has been around since the late 1980s and is a well-known symbol to passersby of an ongoing labor dispute. At the beginning of February, the General Counsel of the National...
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