Responding to COVID-19 Webinar Series Part VII: Returning Employees to the COVID-19 Workplace: Maintaining a Safe and Effective Work Environment
As businesses begin to think about reopening post-pandemic, there are many questions surrounding operations, policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective workplace for employers and employees. What safety measures should you be considering in preparation of returning to the workplace? How will you transition employees from remote work back to standard operations? What steps will you need to take to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
In this webinar, Labor and Employment attorneys Megan Youngling Carannante, Joshua A. Hawks-Ladds, Robert C. Hinton, and Mark J. Sommaruga discussed:
- Drafting return-to-work policies and procedures and resuming safe workplace operations
- Safety measures, including face coverings and social distancing
- Guidelines for employees who have been exposed to/diagnosed with/have had close contact with someone with COVID-19
- Requirements for testing and inquiries for medical information and/or documentation
- Guidelines for employees refusing to return to work
- Leaves of absence
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) issues
- Avoiding legal exposure
To watch a recording of the webinar, click here.
PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT UPDATE TO MAY 6 PRESENTATION:
On May 7, 2020, the United States Department of Labor issued this new guidance on questioning employees about FFCRA leave requests:
In order for your employee to take leave under the FFCRA, you may require the employee to identify his or her symptoms and a date for a test or doctor’s appointment. You may not, however, require the employee to provide further documentation or similar certification that he or she sought a diagnosis or treatment from a health care provider in order for the employee to use paid sick leave for COVID-19 related symptoms. The minimal documentation required to take this leave is intentional so that employees with COVID-19 symptoms may take leave and slow the spread of COVID-19.