COVID-19 RESOURCES

COVID-19 FAQs

In the face of the COVID-19 emergency, employers are struggling with many questions about the impact in the workplace. This document provides answers to many Frequently Asked Questions. As this is a fast-moving and volatile situation, we will be constantly updating this document.
COVID-19 Agency Update: CDC and OSHA Issue Reopening Guidance, EEOC Explains Accommodation of High-Risk Workers, IRS Expands Employee Retention Credit, DOL Adds to FFCRA Q&As, FEMA Provides Exercise Starter Kit for Reopening

Various federal agencies have recently issued additional COVID-19 guidance of significance (more or less) to employers.
CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance to Add New Symptoms and Guidelines on Release from Isolation

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided updated guidance on several issues of relevance to employees infected with COVID-19.

DOL Issues New COVID-19-Related WARN FAQs and Updates FFCRA Q&As

The federal Department of Labor (DOL) issued new Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions and added to its extensive Questions and Answers resource for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

EEOC Provides Guidance on Reasonable Accommodations and Employee Testing When Returning to Work

The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws” resource to expand upon its guidance on some issues of concern to employers – reasonable accommodations and employee testing.

D.C. Expands Both DC-FMLA and Sick and Safe Leave Law for COVID-19

The District of Columbia temporarily expanded both its Family and Medical Leave Act (DC-FMLA) and its Sick and Safe Leave Act (DC-SSLA) to include COVID-19-related reasons.

What Does Governor Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery Mean for Maryland Employers?

Governor Hogan issued “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery,” his plan for reopening the state as the COVID-19 pandemic crisis begins to ease. This plan is of critical interest and importance to Maryland employers, and we outline the plan here.

COVID-19 Agency Update: CDC and Essential Workers, EEOC and Non-Discrimination, OSHA and COVID-19 Recordkeeping/ Enforcement, DOL and Unemployment Compensation Under CARES, and VETS and COVID-19 National Guard Service

During the past week or so, various federal agencies have issued additional COVID-19 guidance of significance (more or less) to employers. We summarize these developments.

DOL Issues FFCRA Regulations – And (No April Fooling) There Are Some Surprises!!

On April 1, 2020, the effective date of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Department of Labor issued its implementing regulations.
PPP Borrowers Who Received Loans of Less than $2 Million Deemed to Have Made Certification in “Good Faith;” Safe Harbor Return Period Extended to May 18

The Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, updated its Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Governor Hogan’s “Stay-at-Home” Order Mean for Employers?

Governor Hogan has issued an Executive Order, effective 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020, requiring all Maryland residents to stay at home except to conduct essential activities.
To Avoid Job and Wage Cuts CARES Act Funds Payrolls

Under the “Paycheck Protection Program” the federal government will essentially give an employer 2.5 times its monthly payroll, to use for paying wages, rent, mortgage interest and utilities.
The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Its Impact on Unemployment Insurance

The CARES Act imposes important new requirements on the Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program.
Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Becomes Law

President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion bill that contains provisions that will provide relief to businesses and individuals negatively impacted by the recent pandemic.
DOL Explains Small Business, Healthcare Provider and Emergency Responder Exemptions to Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and Many Other Things

The U.S. Department of Labor updated its Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers on March 28, 2020 to provide guidance on a number of key issues.
DOL Answers More Burning Questions and Provides a Poster About Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The DOL updated its FFCRA: Questions and Answers to provide more guidance about the paid sick leave and expanded Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requirements under the FFCRA.
DOL Provides Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Department of Labor has issued several resources on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: a fact sheet for employers, a fact sheet for employees and a Questions and Answers resource.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Has Been Signed Into Law– What This Means for Employers

President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act into law. This law makes sweeping changes to an employer’s legal obligations
A Note to our Valued Clients During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The attorneys at Shawe Rosenthal LLP have been working around the clock to keep our clients up-to-date on the developments on the COVID-19 pandemic, as we know it greatly affects employers, their employees and their workplace.

NEWS & EVENTS

Teresa D. Teare authored an article, “What to do when an employee refuses to work during the pandemic”

Lindsey A. White authored an article, “How may ‘non-essential’ Md. businesses operate?”

Darryl G. McCallum participated on a webinar panel on “COVID-19 in the Workplace: Your Questions Answered”

Fiona W. Ong offered guidance to small business owners in a webinar, “Navigating the Coronavirus Business Resources”

Fiona W. Ong has once again been recognized by Lexology as its “Legal Influencer”

Shawe Rosenthal has been ranked in the top tier of Maryland labor and employment firms by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business

Fiona W. Ong Offered Guidance to Business Owners

Fiona W. Ong and Elizabeth Torphy-Donzella Participated in a Maryland Chamber of Commerce Conference Call

Mark J. Swerdlin and Fiona W. Ong conducted a webinar for hrsimple.com

Testimonials

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    Chambers 2016

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    Chambers 2015

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    Chambers 2014

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    Chambers 2013

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    Chambers USA 2011