As we previously blogged, President Biden’s mandate for large employers has been put on hold by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, because in the Court’s words, the Plaintiffs have alleged “’grave statutory and constitutional issues” with the mandate. In response,...
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Employment Law
What Do the CDC’s New Mask Guidelines Mean for Employers?
Last week, the CDC announced that people who have been fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or socially distance themselves. Although these guidelines are welcome news, they are nonetheless still only guidelines. They do not have the effect of law, and they...

Is Time Spent Putting on PPE Compensable Under the Fair Labor Standards Act?
We previously blogged about the dangers of not paying hourly employees for time spent waiting in line to have their temperatures taken. Employees are now facing similar issues related to time spent putting on, and taking off, mandatory PPE. Recently, two former...

Lessons from Recent 4th Circuit Case: The Importance of Maintaining Communication with Employees on Leave
The Fourth Circuit recently issued an opinion that highlights the importance of maintaining regular communication with an employee who is out on leave. In Thomas v. City of Annapolis, Maryland, a police officer injured his knee on the job and was offered a permanent...

Do Employers Need to Pay Employees for COVID Temperature Checks?
A new trend in wage and hour litigation has emerged: employees who are required to wait in long lines to get their temperatures taken before clocking in are claiming that their wait times are compensable under state and federal wage and hour laws. Employers who...

New Montgomery County Law Significantly Expands the Definition of Workplace Harassment
On January 15, 2021, a new law will go into effect in Montgomery County that will dramatically change the definition of workplace “harassment.” Previously, in order for workplace harassment to be actionable, it needed to be “severe or pervasive.” Generally, this...
Basic Rules Related To Age Discrimination And Harassment At Work
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits discrimination and harassment against people who are 40 and older. Have you experienced age-related bias at work? It can be a touchy subject. Even an employer asking about your age can seem vaguely threatening,...
How Employers Can Get a Head Start on Maryland’s Upcoming Employment Laws
Beginning on October 1, 2020, several new employment laws will take effect in Maryland. With October 1st right around the corner, employers should take the following steps to make sure they are not caught off guard. The CROWN Act When the “Creating a Respectful and...
Federal Court Strikes Down Department of Labor Regulations Limiting Paid COVID-19 Leave
As we previously blogged, employers are obligated under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to provide employees up to two weeks (80 hours) of paid sick leave and up to 10 weeks of paid emergency family and medical leave. Back in April, the Department...

Can My Boss Punish Me for Sharing My Political Views?
A recent study found that 62% of Americans say they are afraid to share their political views due to a fear that others might be offended. This fear is not always unwarranted. Across the country, employees have been facing discipline for expressing their views on...