Fisher Phillips in the News

In an interview with Law360, Ed Harold, explains that there are some employers who just “can’t afford to take more loans” because it’s going to put them deeper in debt, but he also points out that the loans through the CARES Act “are attractive because they’re forgivable.”

Charles Caulkins, partner in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office and chairman of the Florida Chamber, was recently a guest on WLRN, South Florida's NPR station, for a segment workplace laws amid the COVID-19 crisis.

In an interview with SHRM, Samantha Monsees explained the eligibility requirements for Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act loans and described some of the details of the loan program.

The Memphis Business Journal selected Greg Grisham as a finalist in the “Labor & Employment” category of its 2020 “Best of the Bar"contest.

Congress mandated emergency sick leave for individuals who work for companies with fewer than 500 employees, and in Texas, the mandate means that millions of workers will have access to paid leave for the first time.

New worker scheduling requirements will hit Philadelphia restaurant, retail, and hotel employers at the same time they’re managing through shutdowns and widespread layoffs spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic. In an interview with Bloomberg Law, Jeff Csercsevits explained that no one anticipated this situation when the ordnance was drafted. He said, “There certainly a lot of questions about how businesses will comply under these unusual operating conditions.”

Bloomberg Law spoke with Hagood Tighe, co-chair of Fisher Phillips’ Wage and Hour practice, and David Kresser, co-chair of the firm’s Manufacturing Industry Team, on what employers need to know about navigating reductions in force.

In an interview with Business Insurance, partner Kristin White offered insights on the March 13, 2020 revised guidance issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Columbus Business First wrote an article in which Sam Lillard offered insights into how Ohio employers can use the COVID-19 pandemic to re-evaluate their businesses and concentrate on ways they can emerge stronger on the other side of the public health crisis.

In an interview with KMOV4, Samantha Monsees discusses the legal issues surrounding patient privacy and the public’s right-to-know as it relates to COVID-19.

Bert Brannen, Regional Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips’ Atlanta office, interviewed with ATL Small Business Network on what employers in the city need to know about COVID-19 and the impact on their business practices.

Law firms across Charlotte have established COVID-19 task forces and are using their websites as resource centers to provide information to help businesses navigate the coronavirus pandemic. The Charlotte Business Journal examined how firms are responding to the outbreak and spoke with Mason Alexander on why Fisher Phillips transformed its website into a COVID-19 resource page for visitors.

Tiffani Greene recently spoke with North Carolina Lawyers Weekly about The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, or FFCRA, which became law on March 18 and provides many workers with paid sick leave if they need to take time off work because of COVID-19.

In the Daily Journal article “Business group calls PAGA claim moratorium amid pandemic,” Los Angeles Partner Shaun Voigt offers his comments on a potential PAGA moratorium given the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the Kansas City Business Journal’s list of valuable resources, Fisher Phillips was cited for “offering employment information regarding COVID-19 on its website.” Samantha Monsees was also highlighted as a local labor and employment resource who recently spoke with Business Journal and offered valuable insights about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

In a podcast interview with the State Bar of Texas, Houston partner Teresa Valderrama offers guidance for employers as they navigate challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Bloomberg Law, Travis Vance explained that reconfiguring could mean that workers are doing tasks that they wouldn’t otherwise complete as part of their regular duties, and this may trigger workplace safety concerns.

CBT Automotive Network turned to Steve Cupp to walk employers through some of their most pressing questions regarding federal paid sick leave, remote work, workplace safety and reductions in force.

Bethesda, MD (March 25, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national workplace law firm representing employers, announces the addition of traditional labor attorney, Letitia F. Silas, as a Partner in the firm’s Bethesda office.

As a participant in a recent National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) webinar, partner Ed Foulke addressed the serious issues facing employers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charlotte Partner Travis Vance recently spoke with Commercial Carrier Journal regarding the logistics surrounding truck drivers reporting symptoms of, or testing positive for, COVID-19 while on the road. 

In an interview with the Kansas City Business Journal, Samantha Monsees comments on the two main provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and how these provisions might impact employers.

In an article published by Hotel News Now on March 25, Andria Ryan, co-chair of Fisher Phillips’ Hospitality Industry Team, discusses the serious steps hotel properties have taken to mitigate risk for both employees and guests as COVID-19 continues to spread.

Jason Geller, San Francisco Regional Managing Partner, recently spoke with ToolBox HR on how California’s AB5 has changed the way employers engage with their workforce.

On March 25, 2020, the firm announced that Letitia Silas joined as a Labor Relations Partner in the firm’s Bethesda office. A former senior in-house labor counsel at Howard University and attorney at the NLRB, Letitia brings unique experience that will be valuable to the firm’s dedicated COVID-19 Taskforce.

In an interview with the Daily Report, Chairman and Managing Partner Roger Quillen explained how Fisher Phillips is focused on staying ahead of the curve when it comes to helping employers address COVID-19 workplace issues.

In a conversation with Law360, Kevin Troutman explains that it is of vital important for employers to regularly remind their workers that they are not facing this challenge alone.

In this SHRM article, Irvine partner Warren Nelson describes that there have been some industries that have been hit harder than others, including the hospitality industry.

In the Commercial Carrier Journal article “Fleets report freight slowdown while juggling social distancing of dispatchers and drivers,” Kansas City Partner James Sullivan comments on the outlook for the trucking industry given the COVID-19 panic. 

In the Daily Journal article “Governor suspended law requiring notice for mass layoffs,” San Diego Partner David B. Monks comments on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to suspend California’s WARN Act, which requires employers give workers notice before massive layoffs.  

In an interview with Bloomberg Law, Travis Vance said that he has talked to over 250 clients in the past 14 days about coronavirus concerns, and he said that OSHA has been ‘reasonable’ in response to certain requirements.

Risa Boerner, Chair of the firm’s Data Security and Workplace Privacy Practice Group, spoke with Bloomberg Law on the emergence of legislation that bans employers from requiring their workers to have devices implanted into their bodies, such as microchips or RFID tags.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has loosened requirements for employers to give workers notice before laying them off in large numbers, as part of an executive order aimed at containing the economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Matthew Korn told Law360 that it wasn’t totally accurate to deem Newsom’s executive order a “suspension” of the state’s WARN Act.

In an interview with Bloomberg Law, Ed Foulke weighed-in on OSHA’s latest clarification on work-related virus exposure and noted that the new guidance could be interpreted to focus primarily on health-care workers and first responders who have a higher likelihood of being exposed to the disease on the job.

In an interview with Human Resource Executive, Jessie Bustamante touched on the fact that trust is a big part of the equation when it comes to remote work arrangements.

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, corporate decision-makers are searching to strike the right balance between preparedness and panic. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Howard Mavity explains the role the CEO must play during a time like this.

In an interview with Law360, Emily Litzinger discusses what employers need to know when employees start working from home, and she emphasizes that “the first step is setting clear expectations” with a comprehensive work-from-home-policy.

Nation’s Restaurant News turned to Clarence Belnavis for guidance on how layoffs could have legal implications for restaurants. Some operators are laying off or furloughing workers, or temporarily shutting down operations altogether, but those short-term solutions could have long-term legal repercussions if employers don’t follow WARN Act requirements.

The coronavirus has had a major impact on companies around the world, and in the process, it has created a good amount of confusion about what employers legally can (and cannot) expect from their employees and vice versa.

The coronavirus is already impacting employers in Illinois, and it’s likely that those impacts will continue as companies start to see lawsuits being filed as a result of the outbreak.

Some states are ramping up efforts to protect workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. Washington, for example, announced the state would take steps to ensure workers’ compensation protections for health care workers and first responders who are at higher risk of exposure as a natural consequence of their jobs.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expects employers to track coronavirus infections in the workplace.

DETROIT (March 9, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, welcomes Stephen R. Gee as an Associate in the firm’s Detroit office. Stephen arrives on the heels of the firm joining forces with The Murray Law Group under the Fisher Phillips brand in Detroit on January 1, 2020. 

Mike Miller and Tim Tack, two powerhouse Professional Employer Organization (PEO) attorneys joined Fisher Phillips’ Tampa office in January 2020.

Law firms, like all other employers, are doing whatever they can to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to the workforce. In addition, many firms are assembling task forces to help themselves and their clients navigate the business fallout from the virus.

Seattle Partner Catharine Morisset recently gave a live interview with Q13 News Seattle regarding COVID-19 and how employers and employees can maintain a healthy and safe workplace.

On March 5, 2020 a bill was introduced to the California legislature that would ban employers from firing or retaliating against employees who take days off from work to follow quarantine orders by public health officials or medical personal.

PORTLAND (March 5, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announced today that Clarence M. Belnavis, Regional Managing Partner of the firm’s Portland office, is the 2020 recipient of the Oregon State Bar’s Owen M. Panner Professionalism Award. The award is named after an esteemed member of the federal bench and honors a member of the bench or bar who exemplifies the highest personal and professional standards.

PHOENIX (March 5, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the addition of Kerry S. Martin as a partner in its Phoenix office.

As employers prepare for possible impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), one important step is to review the types of health disclosures that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) does and does not allow in such times of crisis.

HR and business leaders are likely considering whether they can send sick workers home or if they need to pay employees for missed work time due to Coronavirus. While the answers vary, at a minimum, employers should identify whether state or local paid-sick-leave laws cover these situations.

International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements while promoting more equal and inclusive workplaces.

Philadelphia (March 3, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the addition of Edward G. Winsman as Of Counsel in the firm’s Philadelphia office.

With the arrival of the coronavirus in the United States, employers and their in-house counsel are wondering what they can do to minimize the legal and/or financial risks to their businesses.

Employers in U.S. states without sick-leave laws likely will be responsible for determining the best course of action to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the workplace, and their options don’t necessarily have to include providing pay or job protections during periods of absence. Currently, many businesses are looking to state public health officials and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for guidance.

Nashville (February 28, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, welcomes Ariel Kelly as an Associate in the firm’s Nashville office. Ariel arrives on the heels of last month’s announcement about the firm’s lease for over 4,000 square feet of new office space in the city’s West End.

Global companies are scrambling to protect their employees as the threat of the coronavirus continues to rise. As Howard Mavity pointed out in an interview with The Washington Post, companies are striving to provide meaningful guidance and they have “now been asking for policies and procedures instead of one-off advice.”

As the polarization over the country’s political landscape seeps into the workplace, HR continues to grapple with how to keep the peace among employees.

In an interview with Corporate Counsel, Cleveland partner Jeffrey Smith cautions that the Board’s advisory opinion may, in fact, “have the impact of limiting the ability to work as corporate counsel at another company if that other position is both legal and business in nature.”

In an interview with The Recorder, Rich Meneghello described this decision as “the latest example of seeing the ABC test in action and a demonstration of how potentially devastating it could be to the gig model.”

SACRAMENTO (Feb. 21, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the additions of Megan Nevin and April Perkins as associates in its Sacramento office.

As business leaders focus on closing the gender pay gap and states enact broader laws covering fair pay for more workers, HR professionals may want to review their organization’s compensation policies and practices.

A recent investigation in Oregon showed that the state paid hundreds of employees millions of dollars while on paid administrative leave. In Oregon, there are no statewide standards when it comes to placing employees on paid administrative leave.

DENVER (February 19, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces that Katarina Niparko has joined the firm as an associate in the Denver office.

Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the addition of Jennifer Barrett DiMarzo as an associate in the Boston office.

There are times when employees may need private space at work. Perhaps a religious employee needs to pray, or a nursing mother needs to express breastmilk. Maybe a worker needs a quiet space to focus on mental health.

Determining whether an individual is covered by the FMLA and whether requested time off is protected can sometimes be tricky.

Fort Lauderdale (February 10, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, is pleased to announce that Fort Lauderdale Regional Managing Partner Suzanne Bogdan and partner Charles Caulkins were recently honored at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce 110th Annual Meeting.

A first-of-its-kind ruling from the Third Circuit cleared the way for Philadelphia to begin enforcing its ban on employers inquiring about salary histories of job candidates. In an interview with Law360, Samantha Bononno, partner in the firm’s Philadelphia office, explained that “this is going to result in some significant changes for employers.

New Orleans (February 7, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the addition of Andrew J. Baer as Of Counsel in the firm’s New Orleans office. 

Increasingly, companies are removing "he" and "she" from their employee handbooks and replacing them with gender-neutral pronouns, such as "they".  The companies are doing this to make nonbinary individuals who do not identify as male or female feel included.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Feb. 6 that would change labor law in many ways. Secret-ballot union elections could be more easily bypassed by signing union authorization cards, classifying workers as independent contractors would be more difficult, and an expansive definition of "joint employer" would be revived.

In a decision that could have national implications for the wage equity movement, the Third Circuit ruled in favor of Philadelphia’s ban on asking job applicants their salary history.

Though fear of the Coronavirus is sweeping the country, Pennsylvania residents are more likely to catch the common flu, according to the state Department of Health.

Many states have raised their minimum wage, and employers in those states need to be aware of the increase to stay in compliance with the new rates.

New Jersey became the first state to enact a law requiring severance pay for workers during mass layoffs.

There are many preventive measures employers can take to safeguard against the coronavirus, but when implementing such measures employers need to be cautious of legal ramifications.

In an interview with EHS Today, partner Howard Mavity describes what steps employers can take to protect their workplace against the coronavirus.

Maryland has joined 13 other states plus the District of Columbia to bar employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history on the initial job application.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (January 29, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the addition of Alex Castro as an associate in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office.   

Governor Phil Murphy signed S-3170 into law amending the state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN).

Employers are trying to cut through the noise to determine what they can and should be doing to protect their workforce in the face of the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, partner Howard Mavity said that “[e]mployers are to a point now of trying to stay ahead of the curve.”

Sacramento Partner Benjamin M. Ebbink recently spoke with the Daily Journal regarding several new California proposed laws that add carve-outs to the state’s AB 5 worker classification law. The bills add exemptions for alarm service workers, freelance journalists, and small business owners, among others. 

Philadelphia, PA (January 27, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national workplace law firm representing employers, announces it will move its Philadelphia area office location to the iconic Two Logan Square building in Center City Philadelphia to accommodate the firm’s growing practice. Fisher Phillips has signed a lease for nearly 21,000 SF on the 12th floor and expects to occupy the space in April.

Fisher Phillips, a national workplace law firm representing employers, announces the addition of Michael R. Miller as senior counsel and Timothy Tack as partner in the firm’s Tampa office. Mike and Tim are powerhouse attorneys in the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) industry in Florida and across the country and join from Miller Tack & Madson.

News outlets are preoccupied with alarming updates about the spread of coronavirus – including several cases identified in the United States – and employers are left wondering what steps they can take to prevent the spread and protect their workforce.

Following an interview with Overdrive, San Francisco Regional Managing Partner Jason A. Geller offers his thoughts on the trucking industry’s appeal of AB 5, California’s worker classification law.

Employers across the country are dealing with CBD use by employees and the rise of legalization of recreational and medical marijuana.

In most industries, federal laws protect workers with disabilities, including mental illness. Church, however, is an exception.

In a new round of guidance memos, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) weighed in on eight new issues, including workplace investigations and the legality of a “voluntary” arbitration agreement.

January is a good time for employers to review their employee handbooks and make sure they accurately reflect new workplace laws at the federal, state and local levels.

Employers covered by the Occupational Safe and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) recording-keeping rule must post their 2019 summary of work-related injuries and illnesses at the worksite between February 1st and April 30th.

The Orlando Business Journal turned to Justin McConnell for insight into what workplace bills Florida employers should keep their eye on during the state’s 2020 legislative session.

Nashville, TN (January 13, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, is excited to announce its launch of an office in Nashville, Tennessee. The firm has been open for business and operating out of temporary space in the city since July 2019, and now Fisher Phillips can make its presence official after securing over 4,000 square feet of office space in Nashville’s West End.

ORLANDO (January 13, 2020) – Fisher Phillips, a national labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the addition of Alex Desrosiers as an associate in the firm’s Orlando office.  

In interviews with Business Insurance and HR Dive, Marty Heller, Atlanta partner in the firm’s national Wage and Hour practice, breaks down the Department of Labor’s (DOL) regulations on joint employer liability under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

San Francisco Regional Managing Partner offers commentary on a federal judge's decision to indefinitely expand a temporary restraining order exempting compliance with California's AB 5.

The Garden State’s lawmakers approved a bill that would compel employers to give more notice and pay severance to laid-off workers. The bill, which only applies to employers with 100 or more full- or part-time workers laying off 50 or more people could be the first of its kind in the country.

With the rapid evolution of technology and employment law, 2020 is looking to be a challenging year for compliance with changing workplace policies and regulations.