UPDATE: U.S. Department of Labor Provides Guidance On Whether Parents of Minor Children Who Choose To Attend Remote K-12 Classes Are Entitled To Paid Leave Under The FFCRA

by John Lawhorn | Sep 2, 2020 | EAST TENNESSEE EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISER, EMPLOYMENT LAW

On August 18, 2020, I posted a blog entitled “Are Parents of Minor Children Who Choose To Attend Remote K-12 Classes Entitled To Paid Leave Under The FFCRA?” At that time, I commented that the United States Department of Labor (DOL) had not yet to addressed the...

Are Parents of Minor Children Who Choose To Attend Remote K-12 Classes Entitled To Paid Leave Under The FFCRA?

by John Lawhorn | Aug 18, 2020 | EAST TENNESSEE EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISER, EMPLOYMENT LAW

When the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) was passed in late March 2020, the nation was confronted with a fairly uniform new reality in terms of K-12 education. Both public and private schools across the United States closed their doors and quickly...

Supreme Court finds that Title VII employment protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extend to gender identity and sexual orientation

by Daniel Zydel | Jun 19, 2020 | EAST TENNESSEE EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISER, EMPLOYMENT LAW

Following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell–granting same-sex couples the constitutional right to marry—a related question remained: would gender identity and/or sexual orientation later receive protection from discrimination in employment under...

On-the-job injuries while working from home? Considerations for employers and employees relying on workers’ compensation in Tennessee

by Daniel Zydel | Apr 24, 2020 | EAST TENNESSEE EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISER, EMPLOYMENT LAW

In 2000, the United States Census reported that 3.3% of Americans exclusively worked from home (or “telecommuted”) for their employer.[i] In 2016, that number increased to 5%.[ii] Now, with safer-at-home orders, non-essential business shutdowns, and companies of all...

EEOC and CDC Resources for Employers Addressing the Coronavirus

by John Lawhorn | Mar 6, 2020 | EAST TENNESSEE EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISER, EMPLOYMENT LAW

As the Coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States employers are having to address a number of questions about managing and protecting their workforce. Included on the ever-growing list of items keeping managers up at night are concerns about...

Employers Should Exercise Caution In How They Treat FMLA Leave Under Attendance Policies

by John Lawhorn | Sep 24, 2019 | EAST TENNESSEE EMPLOYMENT LAW ADVISER, EMPLOYMENT LAW

Employers subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must allow covered employees up to 12 weeks of leave per year for certain needs, including the employees’ own “serious health condition.” The FMLA and its implementing regulations further provide that an...