If you work for a company that employs at least 100 people, and you lose your job because of a plant closing or a “mass layoff” (one third of the workforce or a big enough number of people), you could be entitled to up to 60 days’ notice or 60 days’ pay in lieu of notice. That’s what’s required under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (“WARN”) Act. Seems pretty simple and straightforward, but as with most laws, the devil … [Read more...]
COVID-19 and Employment Law- What’s Changed and What Hasn’t
More than half a year has passed since COVID 19 came to America and changed so much about our lives, and courts already have seen hundreds if not thousands of cases related to the disease. To date, however, while legislation has addressed things like paycheck protection, enhanced unemployment benefits, and COVID-related time off, courts have issued only a few rulings on some of the most important employment law issues raised by the disease. … [Read more...]
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Contracting COVID-19 At Work?
Employees on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic needed expanded access to Minnesota workers’ compensation benefits, and on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Governor Tim Walz took action by signing H.F. 4537 into law. The law expands Minnesota workers’ compensation eligibility for specific COVID-19 front-line employees, as described below, by creating the presumption that a COVID-19 infection is work-related and therefore the employee is entitled to … [Read more...]
COVID-19: MN Unemployment Insurance Benefit Changes
Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Benefit Changes Under the Governor’s Emergency Executive Order during the COVID-19 Emergency The COVID-19 pandemic has caused hardships of every kind from an inability to interact with loved ones to the shuttering of our favorite restaurants. Among the most unnerving consequences, however, is the sudden loss of a job. Thankfully, federal, state and local governments are stepping into the crisis to provide relief. … [Read more...]
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Provides Paid Leave Rights to Qualified Workers
The growing consensus that Americans need to stay home and otherwise practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has had a massive impact on workplaces. Workers are increasingly needing time away from work because of reasons related to COVID-19. The federal government took a much needed first step in responding to this reality yesterday by passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The Act strengthens … [Read more...]
