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Ryan Kunkel, an associate in Stoel Rives’ Labor & Employment group, helps employers resolve employment-related disputes in litigation and counsels clients to help prevent those disputes in the first place. His practice also includes helping management resolve complex labor disputes, including organizing drives, NLRB proceedings, and work stoppages.

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Today, the Supreme Court blocked the Biden Administration’s vaccine-or-test mandate for large employers, known as the Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”), which we wrote about here.  The Court held that the federal agency that issued the ETS, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), has authority to regulate workplace safety issues, but not to regulate

While many employers initially were hesitant to institute mandatory COVID vaccinations, the recent surge driven by the Delta variant and announcements from large organizations—including the U.S. military, United Airlines, and major health care systems across the country—have caused many employers to revisit mandatory vaccination policies.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and U.S. Department of Justice

Late last week, Governor Kate Brown announced that the State of Oregon would largely remove its mask and social-distancing requirements once 70 percent of adult Oregonians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.  Following that announcement, the Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OR-OSHA”) published its plans to repeal at least some

It’s that time of year to prepare for minimum wage increases and update workplace posters.  Beginning July 1, minimum wage rates throughout Oregon increase, to $14.00 for Portland Metro, $12.00 for Nonurban Counties, and $12.75 as Standard. (See here for descriptions of the areas in each category.)  BOLI’s 2021-2022 Commonly Required Postings in Oregon

As expected, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has repealed the Trump-era rule regarding classification of independent contractors.  As we discussed here, the Trump-era rule codified the “economic realities test” for use when analyzing whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Labor advocates criticized

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced that it plans to rescind the Trump DOL rule that tightened the standards by which two or more companies could be deemed a joint employer for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).  The same day, the DOL announced its plans to withdraw the

The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) published a final rule addressing independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).  Independent contractor status is a critical question under the FLSA because eligible employees are entitled to the law’s protections (for example, minimum wage and overtime for non-exempt employees) but independent contractors are not.  Incorrectly

Today the United States Supreme Court answered the question of whether Title VII, the federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination “on the basis of sex,” protects LGBT employees with a resounding “Yes.”  In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that: “The answer is clear. An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender

On Thursday, May 7, 2020 – six weeks after Oregon Governor Brown announced a statewide “Stay Home” order – Governor Brown released details for Reopening Oregon over the coming weeks and months.  The Governor’s plan follows federal guidance and permits certain businesses to reopen in phases after specific public health prerequisites are met.

In the first phase of the plan, counties that satisfy those prerequisites may permit certain business activities starting on May 15.  Phase 1 activities include sit-down dining at restaurants and bars and personal care services.  Each phase is required to last at least 21 days to ensure that each health benchmark is met before further loosening restrictions in the next phase.

In her announcement, the Governor also issued guidance for various sectors of the state – the public, employers, outdoor recreation, restaurants & bars, retail stores, and personal services providers.  The state’s guidance for employers is summarized below; we provided more detail for many of these concepts in our own Ten Things to Consider in Getting Back to Work.

General Considerations

  • Know the signs of COVID-19 illness and have a plan for what to do if an employee develops symptoms at the workplace.
  • Follow state and federal guidelines to protect employee health and safety.
  • Promote social distancing at work.
  • Understand your obligations under state and federal leave laws.

Continue Reading Reopening Oregon: Governor Brown Releases Details and Guidance for Businesses