Update on Unemployment Insurance and New OSHA Guidance
February 3, 2021
As a bonus to Bond’s Feb. 2 webinar about the evolving legal implications of COVID-19 for business, Bond labor and employment attorneys Paul J. Buehler III and Patrick V. Melfi recorded short videos to answer some frequently asked questions.
In his video, Paul discussed the latest on unemployment insurance benefits, including the Department of Labor’s decision to cancel all unemployment insurance benefits charges that have been billed to employers’ accounts since March 9, 2020.
In his video, Pat talked about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance released Jan. 29, 2021, which reiterates existing advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning social distancing, face coverings and isolation for suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. The new OSHA advisory also recommends employers:
- designate one workplace coordinator to field staff questions about coronavirus;
- set up an anonymous complaint procedure for coronavirus-related concerns;
- continue to require workplace precautions (distancing, masks, etc.) even after employees are vaccinated; and
- consider several ventilation system enhancements.
The full presentation covered the following topics:
- Leases and Contracts — COVID-related Issues
- Litigation Update — New NYS Court Rules
- New OSHA Guidance
- Update from Albany
- Unemployment Update
- Discipline Considerations for Off-Duty Conduct
Click here to view the webinar in its entirety or to register for upcoming Tuesday presentations.
