Labor & Employment News Alert

New Protections for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers: What Employers Should Know About the PUMP Act and PWFA

February 22, 2023

As part of the omnibus spending bill for FY 2023, Congress passed new protections for pregnant employees and nursing mothers in the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act). On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the bills into law.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The PWFA was enacted to address the gap between the…

The Latest Edition of the JK Defense Newsletter

July 1, 2021

Learn about the latest changes in labor and employment law in the attached JK Defense Newsletter. Our topics focus on new Tri-State issues ranging from workplace accommodations for pregnant employees (Indiana), the use of employee conviction records in hiring decisions (Illinois), and the type of leave available for adoptive parents (Kentucky).

JK Defense_Evansville_Newsletter Summer 2021.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor Issues First Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 25, 2020

On March 24, 2020, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor issued its first round of guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  According to the DOL, the guidance “addresses critical questions, such as how an employer must count the number of their employees to determine coverage; how small businesses can obtain an exemption; how to count hours for part-time…

Additional Sick Leave in Colorado: An Overview of the Temporary Colorado HELP Rules

March 23, 2020

On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency in Colorado relative to Coronavirus (“COVID-19”).  The very next day, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (“CDLE”) passed emergency rules regarding paid sick leave and access to wage support.  While the focus surrounding COVID-19 is generally about keeping ourselves and those around us safe from the virus,…

Attention Healthcare Employers: A Problem with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 20, 2020

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Act (H.R. 6201) (the “Act”) was signed into law.  The Act provides a broad range of economic relief for both businesses and families -- it expands the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), requires paid sick leave, and offers dollar for dollar tax credits for employers to recoup costs related to paid leave under the Act through the end of 2020.…

Summary of H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 18, 2020

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic a national emergency. Shortly after midnight on March 14, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) in response to the Coronavirus outbreak to reduce the economic impact on individuals and business taxpayers.  Although the bill is still…

The Coronavirus: Q & A For Employers Part 2 (revised March 18, 2020)

March 17, 2020

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced that the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has become a pandemic.  The virus has infected nearly 120,000 people in 114 countries.  More than 4,000 have died.  In Part 2 of our series, we continue to answer questions that employers have presented to us.

 Question:        We provide critical support to a healthcare system and we cannot…

The Coronavirus: Q & A For Employers

March 11, 2020

On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced that the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has become a pandemic.  The virus has infected nearly 120,000 people in 114 countries.  More than 4,000 have died.  We answer some basic questions that employers have presented.

Question:        I have an employee with flu-like symptoms.  Can I send them home or ask them to seek medical attention?…

A practice pointer for accommodating disabilities: Make sure your decisions are based on supportable facts!

July 22, 2018

A recent case from the Sixth Circuit underscores the complexity associated with accommodating individuals with disabilities and the problems that arise when employers deny requests for accommodations.  In Hostettler v. The College of Wooster, No. 5:15-cv-01601 (6^th Cir. July 17, 2018), the Court reversed summary judgment for Wooster and revived plaintiff’s claim for disability discrimination under…

West Virginia Chamber of Commerce 2018 Human Resources Conference

April 22, 2018

Jill E. Hall and Justin M. Harrison of the Firm's Charleston, WV office will be presenting at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce 2018 Human Resources Conference in Charleston on April 26, 2018.

Jill will be discussing "What's Going On with Healthcare:  The Latest Changes and Impacts on Your Employee Benefits Program."  Justin will be discussing "Guns in the Workplace."

The Human Resources…