The fallout of the coronavirus pandemic is far-reaching—and its extent is still largely a mystery. A recent article from Construction Business Owner examines the likely impact of COVID-10 on employment laws. Author Richard Alaniz examines the following areas:
- COVID-19 Lawsuits – Many worker safety complaints having to do with COVID-19 have already been filed with OSHA. Employers should take care to mitigate the risk of their employees. On the legislative side, it is possible that protections from lawsuits pertaining to the pandemic will be implemented for businesses.
- Workers’ Compensation Lawsuits – Whether or not COVID-19 constitutes an “ordinary disease of life” will have a big impact on businesses facing workers’ compensation claims. Some states—including New Hampshire—have already taken legislative action in this area, issuing executive orders regarding the presumption of where workers with COVID-19 got infected during the pandemic.
- COVID-19 Impact on the Workplace – Businesses face many impacts from the pandemic, including difficulties with retaining or recalling their workforces, the need to implement new safety protocols, and the risk of legal action. Additionally, many businesses have undergone major operational shifts in order to enable remote work, reduce staff, spread out schedules, and more. Going back to “the old normal” after the pandemic recedes may be difficult for many organizations.
- Unions – As a result of the pandemic—and the many furloughs and job eliminations that it precipitated—there are a lot of unhappy members of the workforce. This may lead to an increase in desire for unionization.
For further details, click here to read the article in full at Construction Business Owner.
