Articles and Blogs

President Biden recently issued an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy (the “Executive Order”). Directed at addressing competition in numerous industries and markets, including the health care and labor markets, the Executive Order includes 72 initiatives directed at more than a dozen federal agencies that will focus on removing barriers to... READ MORE

Hall Render recently published articles (see here and here) on OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”), which includes requirements that apply specifically to health care employers. Implementation of those standards will involve some or many employees in tasks related to COVID-19 safety at the beginning and end of their shifts, including screening and donning/doffing protective... READ MORE

As discussed in a previous article, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) recently issued an emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) as a part of its National Emphasis Program on COVID-19. The previous blog article provided a concise overview of the ETS and its general requirements. This article provides a more thorough summary of Subpart... READ MORE

As we return to a “new normal” and what is hoped to be the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EEOC recently issued helpful guidance (starting at Section K16, specifically) regarding employer incentives for COVID-19 voluntary vaccinations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”). Links to... READ MORE

Beginning July 1, 2021, Indiana employers will have to register minor employees with the Indiana Department of Labor to comply with a newly amended Indiana Code 22-2-18.1-26. Under the amendment, employers who hire five or more minor employees per location must register those employees with the Department of Labor. To ensure familiarity with the... READ MORE

On Thursday, June 10, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued an emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) as part of its National Emphasis Program on COVID-19. In a surprise to some, the ETS is limited to certain types of health care workplaces. OSHA also issued separate voluntary guidance for non-health care industries. Which health care... READ MORE

On April 20, 2021, Indiana’s Governor Holcomb signed into law a pregnancy accommodation bill. The law will apply to employers with at least 15 employees when it goes into effect on July 1, 2021. Under this new law, an employee may request an accommodation related to pregnancy, childbirth or any related medical conditions. The... READ MORE

In an effort to “promote economy and efficiency in federal contracting,” last month President Biden issued an executive order (“EO”) raising the minimum pay rate for federal contract workers from $10.95/hour to $15/hour. Beginning January 30, 2022, all federal agencies will be required to incorporate a $15 minimum wage in new contract solicitations, and... READ MORE

In an April 15, 2021 letter, the EEOC addressed a request for guidance on employer-provided incentives aimed at encouraging employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The agency indicated, at the time, that they were updating their technical assistance guide to address the extent to which employers may offer employee incentives to vaccinate. Specifically, the... READ MORE

As the world anticipates a gradual return to normalcy, there are numerous questions about the extent to which the “new normal” will look like the “old normal,” from the commercial real estate market to social norms regarding personal space and social touching (such as hugs and handshakes). Within employment law, one of the questions... READ MORE