COVID-19 Focus on Workforce and Employment

Nearly every company, public and private, faces issues stemming from the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce. Our Labor, Employment and Benefits Group can provide guidance on new legislation affecting employees, changes to leave policies, furloughs and reductions in force, enhancing remote work policies, reviewing and updating provisions in existing contracts, complying with OSHA, the ADA, the wage and hour laws and communicating policy changes and updates.

Guidance for Returning to the Workplace

States are easing or phasing out their stay-at-home orders. Nonessential businesses will begin to reopen and their employees will return to work. Many essential businesses that have continued to operate likely will see an increase in the number of employees returning to the workplace. But concerns about transmission of COVID-19 remain. Many states have or can be expected to impose significant obligations on employers to ensure that their workplaces remain safe and that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is minimized. This laudable objective presents many challenges to all employers.

To assist companies in their efforts, Holland & Knight has created a series of alerts focused on return-to-work issues.

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Returning to the Workplace Information

Essential DOL, EEOC & IRS Information

Employee Benefits

Compensation and employee benefit plans are impacted by complex federal labor, tax, securities, corporate and administrative laws, as well as applicable state laws. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Holland & Knight's Labor & Employment Group can help review existing plans and make any necessary modifications.

Benefits Guidance

OSHA and Workplace Safety

As an employer in an industry vulnerable to workplace-related injuries or health hazards, your company's ongoing compliance with OSHA and other safety and health requirements is a pervasive concern, especially during a national health epidemic. Our experienced OSHA attorneys can assist in making sure you have appropriate compliance measures and training programs in place, meet OSHA reporting requirements, and respond to investigations, citations and employee claims.
Primary OSHA Contact: Howard Sokol and Gina Fonte

OSHA and Workplace Safety Publications

Recorded OSHA-Related Webinars

Do Employers Need to Keep Track of Sick Workers?

Immigration

There have been many changes to immigration processes and procedures as a result of COVID-19, and there are likely more to come. Holland & Knight’s Immigration, Nationality and Consular Team can assist with Routine In-Person Services at USCIS and U.S. embassies and consulates, business immigration solutions for foreign nationals and employers in the U.S., enforcement and compliance, and visa issues related to the pandemic.
Primary Contacts: Tara Vance, Jason Klitenic and Leon Fresco

Immigration Publications

Immigration Law Videos

IRS Guidance on Stranded Nonresident Aliens

State-specific Regulations

Understanding and keeping track of state and local labor and employment laws is important to all businesses, especially during the coronavirus pandemic when regulations are changing rapidly.

State-specific Publications

Holland & Knight’s multidisciplinary COVID-19 Response Team is available to help clients respond to a variety of business and legal issues they may be facing.

Additional COVID-19 Resources for your Business

Workforce, Employment and Immigration