In guidance issued on April 23, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stated that employers may choose to administer COVID-19 testing to employees before they enter the workplace to determine if they have the virus.
On April 22, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a decision affecting the classification of independent contractors for purposes of the state Unemployment Compensation Law (UCL).
The Court of Appeal in The Hague recently held that the Employment and Security Act precludes secondment agencies from terminating contracts with workers who are ill or injured at work, despite terms allowing such terminations in collective agreements.
On April 22, 2020, the White House issued a Proclamation barring certain foreign nationals from entering the United States as immigrants unless they have alternative travel documents.
On April 19, 2020, the New York City Commission on Human Rights (the “Commission”) announced that it has formed a COVID-19 response team to handle reports of harassment and discrimination related to the coronavirus outbreak.
On April 22, 2020, during a special legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly voted to approve Governor Ralph Northam’s proposed amendment to a bill that will increase the Commonwealth’s minimum wage to $12.00 per hour by January 1, 2023.
A new Puerto Rico Circular Letter provides that, effective immediately, any private employer that lays off or reduces employees’ regular working hours is required to notify them of the benefits available under the Unemployment Insurance Program.
Late on April 20, 2020, the City of Philadelphia issued Temporary Emergency Regulations to the Philadelphia Notification of Intention to Close or Relocate Operations ordinance (Philadelphia WARN Act).
The Canadian federal government announced that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) application form will become available on Monday, April 27, 2020, and launched an online CEWS calculator to help employers apply for the CEWS.