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Employment, Labor and Benefits

When COVID-19 began its pernicious spread, causing Americans to lock down and employers to close or curtail their workplaces, lawyers were busy advising clients on required leaves of absence, the eligibility of laid-off employees for unemployment compensation and other paid benefits, as well as other legal issues associated with closing a business or sending a

We are all waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine. When we have a vaccine, can an employer require that applicants and employees be vaccinated against COVID-19? Employers have a legitimate desire to keep their workplaces safe and to protect their employees from contracting COVID-19 in the workplace. Phyllis Karasov and Dan Ballintine discuss the practical and legal issues associated with an employer mandatory vaccination program.
Continue Reading To Require Vaccines or Not: That is the Question

This post is co-written by Phyllis Karasov and Mike Schechter.

On Wednesday, June 24, we wrote an article on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s guidance that requires a preparedness plan for the construction industry. The guidance was confusing and placed onerous responsibilities on contractors, owners and public entities, including ensuring that plans among

This post is co-written by Phyllis Karasov and Mike Schechter.

This post was updated on 6/29/20 

In his recent Executive Order 20-74, Governor Walz ordered critical sector businesses to create and adopt a COVID-19 preparedness plan to make workplaces safe from the spread of the coronavirus, and his administration subsequently published guidance for specific

This is the third post in a four-part series discussing labor and employment law issues that should be considered when a company decides to buy another business.  My last post addressed withdrawal liability when a company acquires the assets of a business which contributes to a multiemployer pension plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.

Dan Ballintine and Phyllis Karasov discuss the matters employers need to consider when re-opening businesses after the Covid-19 shutdowns. Recalling only some employees, screening employees before they enter the workplace and dealing with employees who refuse to return to work are among the issues discussed.
Continue Reading Re-Opening A Business the Right Way: Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

This is the first post in a four-part series discussing labor and employment law issues that should be considered when a company decides to buy another business. The series will discuss transactions where the buyer is a union business and transactions when the seller is a union business. This first article focuses on the acquisition