A Primer on COVID-19 Protections for Employers and Employees: Examining New Relief Programs and Existing Employee Protection Laws

The coronavirus pandemic has occasioned sweeping changes in federal and state laws affecting employers and employees. This program, presented by Jonathan Bernstein, will focus on government programs available to help employers avoid layoffs and furloughs as well as protections for employees in various situations: e.g., those who require sick leave because they or a relative have contracted the virus or are quarantined, have been laid off, wish to continue working, fear working but are required to, or wish to work but only if provided with personal protective equipment. We will also review generally applicable employee-protection laws, particularly disability discrimination laws, and how they are applicable to employees who have been or are thought to have been, exposed to coronavirus.

Learning Objectives:

1. Gain an overview of the new government programs available to help employers avoid layoffs and furloughs
2. Identify protections for employees in various situations, such as for those who require sick leave because they or a relative have contracted the virus or are quarantined, fear working but are required to, or wish to continue working but cannot
3. Review previously existing employee-protection laws, particularly disability discrimination laws, and how they are applicable to employees who have been exposed to coronavirus