Employment Law – COVID-19

Barton will monitor, add to, and update this information as it becomes available.

Barton Client Alerts and Webinars

COVID-19 & Mandatory Workplace Vaccinations

Partner Kenneth Rashbaum to Moderate “To Trace or Not to Trace?: Compliance in the Era of COVID-19 and Remote Surveillance” Webinar on July 21st

Is Your Return to Work COVID-19 Liability Waiver Worthwhile?

Tracking COVID-19 Contacts for Returning Employees or Their Productivity While Working Remotely? Proceed with Caution

Deciding Whether to Assert That Coronavirus Excuses Contract Nonperformance

When Prepping for COVID-19, Don’t Forget About Laws Not Typically Associated with Office Workers

Commercial/Business Laws and Regulations

1. Federal
   1. Effective March 17, 2020, the SBA will extend long-term Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans (up to 30 years) to small businesses for up to $2 million upon a demonstration of economic injury. Funds may only be used for specific enumerated purposes. https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/sba-updates-criteria-states-requesting-disaster-assistance-loans-small-businesses-impacted
2. State (*New York only*)
   1. Governor Cuomo signed an executive order on March 19,2020, effective through April 18, 2020 allowing for documents to be virtually notarized using audio-video technology. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-2027-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency

Employment Law-Related Laws and Regulations

1. Federal
   1. On March 17, 2020, a coronavirus relief package officially became federal law. The package mandates that qualified workers (those who have been working at least 30 days, which excludes at least half of private-sector workers) get two weeks paid sick leave, and 12 weeks paid child care leave. The measure expires Dec. 31. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201/text
   2. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act allows individuals affected by coronavirus to receive paid leave, food assistance and expands unemployment insurance and Medicaid funding (in effect, expanding FMLA protections). The measure also provides tax credits to employers to offset costs of implementing the above. The law allows for the Department of Labor to exempt small businesses (50 or fewer employees) from the paid leave requirements. The Act goes into effect April 2. https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr6201/BILLS-116hr6201enr.pdf
2. State (*New York only*)
   1. On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo passed NY state legislation to expand paid sick leave to all public and private sector workers for a 14-day period, effective immediately. https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A10153&term=2019

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