COVID-19 Client Alerts
Murphy Austin realizes that our clients' first priority is the well-being of their employees and families. This page provides links to updates with important new information pertaining to coronavirus in the context of legal issues that may arise for organizations.
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September 2021
September 27, 2021
This is a special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focused on three things we know about mandatory vaccinations.
August 2021
August 30, 2021
This is a special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focused on unmasking California’s confusing mask rules.
July 2021
July 29, 2021
With increasing rates of COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations since June, counties are re-imposing mandates requiring face coverings.
July 26, 2021
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on two takeaways from California Supreme Court's decision on break penalties
June 2021
June 28, 2021
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on Cal/OSHA’s new workplace rules in a post-vaccination world
June 17, 2021
Cal/OSHA’s Standard’s Board adopted revisions to its COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards yesterday, which were made effective as of today per an Executive Order of the Governor.
June 10, 2021
We hope you took to heart the advice in our June 4 client alert not to get too attached to the Cal/OSHA Standards Board’s revised COVID-19 regulations because last night the Standards Board withdrew them.
June 4, 2021
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted revised COVID-19 regulations last night. But don’t get too attached to them yet.
June 1, 2021
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on three things reopening employers should know for June 15th.
April 2021
April 26, 2021
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the five takeaways about vaccine policies.
March 2021
March 29, 2021
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the five takeaways from California’s new COVID Leave Law.
March 22, 2021
A new COVID-19 sick leave law will go into effect Monday, March 29, 2021, covering California employers of 25 or more.
February 2021
February 25, 2021
Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Regulation on Covid-19 remains in effect after a court rejected requests from employer groups for a preliminary injunction today.
January 2021
January 25, 2021
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on four takeaways from Cal/OSHA COVID-19 emergency regulations.
December 2020
December 7, 2020
Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Regulation regarding COVID-19 went into effect November 30, with important new requirements for employers.
December 3, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the top ten new laws California employers should know in 2021.
November 2020
November 30, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the top ten new laws California employers should know in 2021.
November 2, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on four takeaways from California's new COVID notification law.
September 2020
September 28, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on four new COVID laws employers need to know now.
August 2020
August 25, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the five COVID-19 wage and hour issues employers should know now.
July 2020
July 21, 2020
The CDC issued new guidance yesterday on the standards for discontinuing home isolation of people with COVID-19. Employers should follow these guidelines for determining when employees can return to work.
July 20, 2020
This is Part 2 of our two-part alert focused on recent IRS relief for retirement plans due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In June, the IRS issued two important notices providing additional relief with August 31 noted as an important deadline in both notices.
July 17, 2020
Late last month the IRS issued two important notices providing additional relief regarding allowing participants to repay 2020 required minimum distributions (RMDs) that were received prior to enactment of the CARES Act, and helping employers with safe harbor 401(k) or 403(b) plans to reduce or suspend employer contributions mid-year. Both notices provide that August 31 is an important deadline for the relief. These notices are discussed respectively in this two-part alert.
July 17, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the five steps employers can take in response to a COVID-19 diagnosis.
July 14, 2020
For counties on the State’s monitoring list for three consecutive days due to significant increase in the spread of COVID-19, indoor operations in offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors must cease until further notice.
July 2, 2020
Information about changes to indoor operations for affected counties as well as new health and safety obligations for Sacramento employers.
June 2020
June 30, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the four things employers need to know about COVID-19 for July.
June 29, 2020
As employers begin to bring people back to work at their job sites, they need to plan how to manage COVID-19 exposure or illness in the workplace.
June 24, 2020
On June 18, 2020, the Governor announced that face coverings are now broadly required to be worn when people are in “high risk situations,” including some forms of employment.
June 4, 2020
The CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers contains recommendations applicable to all employers. In addition, it provides guidance for specific types of businesses. Today’s alert discusses the CDC’s Employer Information for Office Buildings.
June 2, 2020
As discussed in last week's update, Cal/OSHA has issued guidance requiring employers to include COVID-19 prevention measures in their IIPPs. Employers should be in the process of amending their IIPPs immediately.
May 2020
May 28, 2020
All California employers are required to have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (“IIPP”). Your IIPP must be in writing, be accessible to employees, and contain certain specified provisions. Cal/OSHA has now issued guidance requiring employers to include COVID-19 prevention measures in their IIPPs.
May 27, 2020
This special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focuses on the Three Things Employers Should Know about Reopening for June 2020, including information about Workers’ Compensation expansion, social distancing protocols, and statewide training.
May 22, 2020
If your organization is planning to reopen business operations before July 5, 2020, be sure to review the Governor’s recent Executive Order which creates a legal presumption that will likely shift much of the virus-recovery expense to employers through the workers’ compensation system.
April 2020
HR Legalcast Podcast: Four Early Issues Employers Should Consider Before Reopening From a COVID-19 Shutdown
April 28, 2020
This is a special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focused on four early issues that employers should consider before reopening their businesses after the COVID-19 shutdown.
Rent Relief Considerations for Commercial Landlords
April 21, 2020
This update focuses on rent relief considerations for commercial landlords.
Required Notices for Paid Sick Leave/Expanded Family Leave
April 10, 2020
This update will focus on the documentation an employer may require of employees requesting this paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave.
COVID-19 Effects on Retirement Plans You May Not Be Aware Of
April 9, 2020
This update covers additional important points on the effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on retirement plans that employers may not be aware of.
Department of Labor's New Regulations
April 8, 2020
This update covers additional important points from the Department of Labor's April 1, 2020 new regulations concerning the FFCRA paid sick leave and expanded FMLA benefits.
Social Distancing Protocols Now Required For Some
April 8, 2020
Yesterday, Sacramento County extended its Stay-At-Home Order until May 1, 2020. Amongst its numerous provisions is a requirement that all Essential Businesses must prepare a Social Distancing Protocol, which is substantially similar to a model protocol attached to the Order.
COVID-19 Tax Relief
April 7, 2020
This update is focused on IRS provisions developed to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
Enhanced Unemployment Insurance Benefits
April 6, 2020
This update deals with the expansion to the unemployment system created by the recently passed CARES Act.
New EDD Guidance on Mass Layoffs and Closures
April 3, 2020
This update focuses on recent guidance from EDD regarding how the Governor's temporary suspension of the 60-day notice requirement from Cal-WARN is to be applied.
Retirement Plan Provisions of CARES Act
April 2, 2020
This update focuses on the retirement plan provisions of the CARES Act, signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion stimulus and relief statute with several measures to help individuals and businesses cope with the economic issues resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
New Guidance from DOL about Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA
April 1, 2020
This update will focus on another round of guidance from the Department of Labor (DOL) about implementing these two new leave entitlements.
April 28, 2020
This is a special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focused on four early issues that employers should consider before reopening their businesses after the COVID-19 shutdown.
Rent Relief Considerations for Commercial Landlords
April 21, 2020
This update focuses on rent relief considerations for commercial landlords.
Required Notices for Paid Sick Leave/Expanded Family Leave
April 10, 2020
This update will focus on the documentation an employer may require of employees requesting this paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave.
COVID-19 Effects on Retirement Plans You May Not Be Aware Of
April 9, 2020
This update covers additional important points on the effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on retirement plans that employers may not be aware of.
Department of Labor's New Regulations
April 8, 2020
This update covers additional important points from the Department of Labor's April 1, 2020 new regulations concerning the FFCRA paid sick leave and expanded FMLA benefits.
Social Distancing Protocols Now Required For Some
April 8, 2020
Yesterday, Sacramento County extended its Stay-At-Home Order until May 1, 2020. Amongst its numerous provisions is a requirement that all Essential Businesses must prepare a Social Distancing Protocol, which is substantially similar to a model protocol attached to the Order.
COVID-19 Tax Relief
April 7, 2020
This update is focused on IRS provisions developed to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
Enhanced Unemployment Insurance Benefits
April 6, 2020
This update deals with the expansion to the unemployment system created by the recently passed CARES Act.
New EDD Guidance on Mass Layoffs and Closures
April 3, 2020
This update focuses on recent guidance from EDD regarding how the Governor's temporary suspension of the 60-day notice requirement from Cal-WARN is to be applied.
Retirement Plan Provisions of CARES Act
April 2, 2020
This update focuses on the retirement plan provisions of the CARES Act, signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion stimulus and relief statute with several measures to help individuals and businesses cope with the economic issues resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
New Guidance from DOL about Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA
April 1, 2020
This update will focus on another round of guidance from the Department of Labor (DOL) about implementing these two new leave entitlements.
March 2020
Employee Health and Safety
March 31, 2020
This update shares updated guidance about what to do if employees are sick and how to know when sick employees can safely return to work.
HR Legalcast Podcast: Four Things Employer Should Know About COVID-19 Heading Into April
March 30, 2020
This is a special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focused on four things that employers need to know about COVID-19, including: the new leave laws and employee notification requirements; guidance for employers with employees who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus; and information about tax credits.
How to Claim the New Tax Credits
March 30, 2020
This update focuses on new guidance for employers wishing to take advantage of some of the tax credits being offered in recent federal legislation implemented to address COVID-19.
Insurance Coverage
March 27, 2020 (2 of 2)
This update focuses on insurance coverage relevant to an employer. Insurance may play a key role in insulating businesses from labor-related losses, as well as other COVID-19 induced harm.
Mandatory Labor Department Posting For Employers With Under 500 Employees
March 27, 2020 (1 of 2)
Last week, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA"), which creates new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave obligations for employers with less than 500 employees. The law also requires covered employers to post a notice about the FFCRA in a conspicuous place on its premises.
Department of Labor Guidance on New Leave Law
March 26, 2020
This update focuses on new guidance for employers implementing the new federal sick leave and paid FMLA leave law.
Requirements for Layoffs and Reduced Schedules
March 25, 2020
This update will focus on issues employers may face when deciding whether to reduce employee hours or lay employees off.
In-Service Distributions, Hardship Distributions, and Loans from Retirement Plans
March 24, 2020
Many businesses have shortened hours or are closed all together due to government directives. This update summarizes the features that plans may have allowing employees early access to retirement plan money to help them through the economic struggles resulting from not working or a loss of hours.
Employer Layoff Notice Requirements for COVID-19
March 23, 2020
This update focuses on employer layoff notice requirements for COVID-19, based on recent changes to CalWARN, the California counterpart to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN") provisions.
Summary of Emergency Leave Law
March 20, 2020
This update focuses on the new Emergency Federal Sick Leave and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions.
Pay Replacement For Workers Who Miss Work
March 19, 2020
This update discusses various state benefit programs administered by the Employment Development Department ("EDD") that employees can possibly utilize if they are unable to work for a variety of reasons.
ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer Guidance During a Pandemic
March 18, 2020
This update provides guidance to help employers manage their obligation to provide a safe and healthy place of employment without violating their obligations under applicable equal opportunity laws.
Proper Pay and Leave Practices
March 17, 2020
This update discusses some of the wage and hour issues that can arise when dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cal/OSHA Coronavirus Guidance
March 16, 2020
This update provides guidance to employers related to Cal/OSHA recommendations for how businesses and employers should respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
March 31, 2020
This update shares updated guidance about what to do if employees are sick and how to know when sick employees can safely return to work.
HR Legalcast Podcast: Four Things Employer Should Know About COVID-19 Heading Into April
March 30, 2020
This is a special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focused on four things that employers need to know about COVID-19, including: the new leave laws and employee notification requirements; guidance for employers with employees who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus; and information about tax credits.
How to Claim the New Tax Credits
March 30, 2020
This update focuses on new guidance for employers wishing to take advantage of some of the tax credits being offered in recent federal legislation implemented to address COVID-19.
Insurance Coverage
March 27, 2020 (2 of 2)
This update focuses on insurance coverage relevant to an employer. Insurance may play a key role in insulating businesses from labor-related losses, as well as other COVID-19 induced harm.
Mandatory Labor Department Posting For Employers With Under 500 Employees
March 27, 2020 (1 of 2)
Last week, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA"), which creates new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave obligations for employers with less than 500 employees. The law also requires covered employers to post a notice about the FFCRA in a conspicuous place on its premises.
Department of Labor Guidance on New Leave Law
March 26, 2020
This update focuses on new guidance for employers implementing the new federal sick leave and paid FMLA leave law.
Requirements for Layoffs and Reduced Schedules
March 25, 2020
This update will focus on issues employers may face when deciding whether to reduce employee hours or lay employees off.
In-Service Distributions, Hardship Distributions, and Loans from Retirement Plans
March 24, 2020
Many businesses have shortened hours or are closed all together due to government directives. This update summarizes the features that plans may have allowing employees early access to retirement plan money to help them through the economic struggles resulting from not working or a loss of hours.
Employer Layoff Notice Requirements for COVID-19
March 23, 2020
This update focuses on employer layoff notice requirements for COVID-19, based on recent changes to CalWARN, the California counterpart to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN") provisions.
Summary of Emergency Leave Law
March 20, 2020
This update focuses on the new Emergency Federal Sick Leave and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions.
Pay Replacement For Workers Who Miss Work
March 19, 2020
This update discusses various state benefit programs administered by the Employment Development Department ("EDD") that employees can possibly utilize if they are unable to work for a variety of reasons.
ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer Guidance During a Pandemic
March 18, 2020
This update provides guidance to help employers manage their obligation to provide a safe and healthy place of employment without violating their obligations under applicable equal opportunity laws.
Proper Pay and Leave Practices
March 17, 2020
This update discusses some of the wage and hour issues that can arise when dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cal/OSHA Coronavirus Guidance
March 16, 2020
This update provides guidance to employers related to Cal/OSHA recommendations for how businesses and employers should respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.