COVID-19 Compliance

Overview

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, BakerHostetler’s Labor and Employment Group has partnered with clients to help navigate the evolving workforce-related issues impacted by the pandemic and adjust toward a post-pandemic workplace. Our knowledgeable and cross-disciplinary team of attorneys sitting across our 17 offices provides up-to-date practical support and strategic guidance to help businesses across various industries make tactical decisions to manage risk and continue their business operations without disruption. Our team knows the various federal, state and local laws and guidance applicable to your business, including but not limited to guidance issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well as state and local authorities. 

Among other topics, we are ready to assist with:

  • Workplace safety standards, including federal, state and local requirements.
  • Policies and mandates concerning vaccination, masks and testing, including requirements for specific industries, such as healthcare.
  • Anti-discrimination laws and accommodation requests.
  • Union-related issues.
  • Return-to-the-workplace planning and management of a post-pandemic workforce.
  • Remote and hybrid workplaces.
  • Benefits coverage and compensation issues.
  • Layoffs and furloughs.
  • Wage and hour compliance, including salary adjustments.
  • Federal, state and local leave laws.
  • Employee privacy concerns.
  • COVID-19-related litigation.

Beyond Labor and Employment, we have dedicated teams who are ready to assist you with your pandemic-related business needs in the areas of business, debt finance, litigation, tax and more.  

For additional information, please visit our COVID-19 Resource Center, where you can find industry-specific legal updates, return-to-work toolkits, frequently asked questions and more. 

To stay up to date on all COVID-19-related issues, please subscribe to our publications here and feel free to contact the leader of our COVID-19 Task Force, Amy J. Traub.

Select Experience

  • Advised hospitality industry employers regarding salary reductions, furloughs, and compliance with the federal WARN Act and state mini-WARN Acts
  • Advised employers regarding compliance with COVID-19-related legislation
  • Develop vaccination and testing policies and safety protocols, including policies compliant with the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard
  • Prepared safety trainings and policies compliant with federal and state laws
  • Secured dismissals of complaints alleging OSHA violations from clients in various industries
  • Navigated laws and advised healthcare clients regarding healthcare worker vaccination policies, masking requirements, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulations  
  • Advise employers across the country regarding evolving quarantine and isolation rules and contact tracing
  • Represented employers in religious discrimination charges and lawsuits involving COVID-19 vaccination requirements

Professionals

Name Title Office Email
Partner Washington, D.C.
Partner Atlanta
Associate New York
Partner Cleveland
Partner Columbus
Counsel New York
Partner Washington, D.C.
Partner New York
Partner Washington, D.C.
Counsel Orlando
Partner Cleveland
Partner Cincinnati
Partner Cleveland
Partner New York
Partner Denver
Partner Los Angeles
Partner Orlando
Partner Cleveland
Counsel Philadelphia

Recognition

  • Chambers USA
    • Labor & Employment – Nationwide (2021)
    • Labor & Employment ‒ California (2017 to 2021)
    • Labor & Employment ‒ Florida (2007 to 2021)
    • Labor & Employment ‒ Ohio (2007 to 2021)
    • Labor & Employment ‒ Texas (2014 to 2021)
  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Labor and employment – Immigration (2017 to 2021)
    • Labor and employment – Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions): defense (2015 to 2021)
    • Labor and employment – Labor-management relations (2015 to 2021)
    • Labor and employment – Workplace and employment counseling (2021)
  • U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms"
    • Employment Law – Management: National (2011 to 2022); Atlanta (2019 to 2022); Cincinnati (2016 to 2022); Cleveland (2011 to 2022); Columbus (2011 to 2022); Houston (2011 to 2022); Orlando (2011 to 2022); Washington, D.C. (2014 to 2022)
    • Labor Law – Management: National (2012 to 2022); Cincinnati (2020 to 2022); Cleveland (2011 to 2022); Columbus (2011 to 2022); Los Angeles (2017 to 2022); New York (2022); Orlando (2011 to 2022); Washington, D.C. (2017 to 2022)
    • Litigation – Labor & Employment: National (2012 to 2022); Atlanta (2019 to 2022); Cincinnati (2020 to 2022); Cleveland (2012 to 2022); Columbus (2015 to 2022); Houston (2014 to 2022); Los Angeles (2021 and 2022); New York (2019 to 2021); Orlando (2012 to 2022); Washington, D.C. (2015 to 2022)
  • Recognized as one of the top law firms for client service, BakerHostetler was named to the 2020 BTI Client Service 30 for the sixth consecutive year.

Publications

Alerts

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Fraud and Government Enforcement in Times of Crisis
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Key Contacts

Blog

In The Blogs

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The Bargaining Table
What Are We Supposed To Do Now? Recommended Next Steps for Unionized Employers Regarding OSHA's COVID-19 Vaccination/Testing Rule
By Todd A. Dawson, Christian R. White
November 9, 2021
On Nov. 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its emergency temporary standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccinations. In summary, the ETS provides that employers with at least 100 employees must either mandate...
Read More ->
Employment Law Spotlight
Gov. Kathy Hochul Announces Designation of COVID-19 as an Airborne Infectious Disease Under NY HERO Act
By Justin A. Guilfoyle
September 9, 2021
As we previously discussed in May and July, the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act), signed into law by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, required employers to take numerous health and safety measures in response to the COVID-19...
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Employment Law Spotlight
Update on the NY HERO Act: What the NY COVID-19 Worker Protection Law Means for Employers
By Justin A. Guilfoyle
July 20, 2021
On May 5, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act) into law. As discussed in an earlier BakerHostetler post, this law mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response...
Read More ->
AD-ttorneys Law Blog
COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act Shows Alternative Path to Monetary Remedies
By John P. Ferry, Randal M. Shaheen
July 7, 2021
A recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action demonstrates how the FTC has pivoted toward enforcement actions based on specific acts of Congress and rules in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in AMG Capital. Congress passed the COVID-19...
Read More ->
Data Counsel
COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act Shows Alternative Path to Monetary Remedies - DADM
July 7, 2021
A recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action demonstrates how the FTC has pivoted toward enforcement actions based on specific acts of Congress and rules in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in AMG Capital. Congress passed the COVID-19...
Read More ->