COVID-19 has turned our world upside down and has also basically re-written employment law. New guidelines on remote work from the Department of Labor has made it clear that employees who work remotely must advise their employers if they have worked any unscheduled overtime and that employers must provide their employees with a system for notifying them while working remotely. In addition, there are the OSHA and state guidelines on employer’s requirements to provide employees with a mask in the workplace.
Then there is the FFCRA which requires employers to provide paid FMLA when an employee cannot work remotely or onsite because their child’s school or daycare provider is closed. In addition, employers now can and should take employees’ temperatures and ask specific COVID-19 questions prior to allowing employees to enter the workplace. HR is now dealing with a brave new world amidst COVID-19 and it is important for you to stay on top of all the new regulations, guidelines, and laws to ensure compliance by your organization.
