Jessica Federico

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In June, 2021, Philadelphia’s previous public health emergency leave mandate expired. However, on March 9, 2022, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a new bill extending COVID-19 paid sick leave to certain eligible employees. That bill became effective immediately upon signature. These requirements will sunset on December 23, 2023.

Under this new ordinance, employers with more than 25 employees must provide up to 40 hours of additional paid sick leave to eligible employees who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19, including:

  • A determination by a public official or public health authority having jurisdiction, a health care provider, or an employer that the employee’s presence on the job or in the community would jeopardize the health of others because of the employee’s exposure to COVID-19 or because the employee is exhibiting symptoms that might jeopardize the health of others, regardless of whether the employee has been diagnosed with or has tested positive for COVID-19.
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President Biden has signed into law the “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021,” which we previously discussed here. During the signing ceremony, President Biden celebrated the legislation, stating it was a “momentous day for justice and fairness in the workplace.”

What still remains to be seen is how this law will be interpreted and applied.… Continue Reading

The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing employers from requiring workers to arbitrate sexual harassment and assault claims. The bill will now go to President Biden for his expected signature.

The bill, known as the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, will amend the Federal Arbitration Act to prohibit enforcement of contract clauses that require arbitration of workplace sexual harassment or assault claims.… Continue Reading

On the latest episode of our podcast, Business Better, we discuss the current array of federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates: their effectiveness and requirements, the scope of their coverage, and what employers should consider in responding to them. This recording took place on December 1st and does not capture changes which have taken place after this date.… Continue Reading

Many federal contractors already have an obligation to develop and maintain written Affirmative Action Plans. Now, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has announced that those same companies will be required to use a new online platform, called the “Affirmative Action Plan Verification Interface,” available here, to annually certify that they are complying with that obligation.… Continue Reading

On Monday, November 15, after Congress passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, President Biden signed it into law. This law will pour billions into roads and bridges, transit, broadband services, airports, waterways and more. Although a majority of the provisions are related to physical structures and developments, several provisions relate to labor and employment:

  • Sec.
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As we previously reported here, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation conducted a lottery to determine which of the thirteen federal appeals courts would hear the consolidated cases challenging the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccination or masking/testing requirements for large employers.… Continue Reading

The Biden Administration has announced vaccine mandates for certain federal contractors and subcontractors, employees of large, private employers, and certain health care workers, all of which are slated to take effect January 4, 2022, with some steps required no later than December 5, 2021.

With the deadlines quickly approaching, review the full Alert from Ballard’s Labor and Employment Group here.… Continue Reading

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (”OSHA”) has issued its long-awaited Emergency Temporary Standard requiring employers with 100 or more employees to mandate that each worker be fully vaccinated, or subject to at least weekly testing, by January 4. Public employers are not covered by OSHA and will not be subject to the rule. … Continue Reading

On September 7, the House Ways and Means Committee released bill text that includes a new national, universal paid medical and family leave plan. This bill represents just one portion of the expected $3.5 trillion social spending bill that will advance President Biden’s legislative agenda.

The bill is extensive, but employers should be particularly aware of the following provisions:

  • Beginning in July 2023, the bill provides up to 12 weeks of federal benefits to replace lost wages due to time off for medical leave or caregiving for an ill family member.
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