News & Events

The EEOC Offers Religious Exemption Guidance The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted updated and expanded technical assistance addressing religious exemptions to employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates.  The EEOC provided details of its view of employer obligations under Title VII when evaluating religious objections to COVID-19 vaccination mandates.  Some larger employers have been inundated with […]

COVID-19 VACCINES AND THE WORKPLACE Jon Newman Hite, Fanning & Honeyman LLP MANDATING COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE WORKPLACE As COVID-19 vaccinations became more available, and the dynamics of the pandemic changed, employers are now dealing with issues associated with returning employees.  Employers are considering mandatory vaccinations and related issues.  There are scenarios where employers can […]

Employers are facing some new challenges during the current pandemic that may lead to legal questions. One such concern is if employers can require employees to get the Covid-19 vaccine, especially since it is still in an early phase of approval.

As stay-at-home orders and other restrictions change, employers will be faced with decisions effecting safety and liability.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must be complied with when returning employees to work.   CAN I SCREEN EMPLOYEES FOR COVID-19 WHEN THEY RETURN TO WORK?   Employers comply with the ADA if screening is consistent with […]

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued regulations that provide guidance and examples to help explain FFCRA.  https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/Pandemic/FFCRA.pdf Below are some highlights.   Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) requires employers to provide paid sick leave to employees who are unable to work for six reasons having to […]

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act.  This includes the requirement for reasonable accommodation and rules about medical examinations and inquiries. The EEOC updated their Guidance previously drafted in 2009 in response to the H1Ni virous, incorporating changes relevant to […]

by Jon Newman The Department of Labor has provided some guidance on application of FFCRA to small business of less than 50 employees.   A small business is an employer, including a religious or nonprofit organization, with fewer than 50 employees. When does the small business exemption apply to exclude a small business from the […]

Social distancing requires governmental bodies to find a new way to operate.  The requirements of the of the Kansas Open Meeting laws still apply, even when there are restrictions on the number of people who can gather and the public is encouraged to stay home.   To help local governments continue to function and ensure […]

Employer Paid Leave Requirements Immediate Action Required With the rapid changes of the last few weeks, it is hard to keep track of what has been enacted into law and what is being discussed. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FCRA) is law and will apply to employers beginning April 1, 2020. It provides paid […]