On August 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued guidance on scenarios that may qualify for a “national interest exception” under Presidential Proclamation 10052 of June 22, 2020 (“Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak”) and Presidential Proclamation 10014 of April 22, 2020 […]
Blog
Second Presidential Proclamation Suspending Certain Visa Applicants
On June 22, 2020, President Trump signed a second proclamation suspending entry into the United States of certain immigrants and nonimmigrants who present a risk to the U.S. labor market following the coronavirus outbreak. Effective immediately, the proclamation extends the suspension of entry for certain immigrants (Presidential Proclamation 10014) through December 31, 2020. The new restrictions imposed […]
CDC’s Nationwide Residential Eviction Order
CDC’s Nationwide Residential Eviction Order On September 2, 2020, the United States Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) issued a nationwide moratorium on residential evictions until December 31, 2020 (the “Order”). The purpose of the moratorium (and the legal basis for the CDC’s adoption of the Order) is to protect public health by preventing evictions that […]
Washington State Businesses Must Enforce Face Covering Requirement
To update my last update on cloth face coverings in Washington State, Governor Jay Inslee has announced that he will issue an order that requires businesses statewide to refuse service to customers who don’t wear face coverings. The requirement will take effect July 7, 2020. With an uptick in COVID-19 cases across the state, […]
The New Statewide Mask Requirement in Washington State – What is a Business to Do?
Beginning Friday, June 26, 2020, face coverings are required statewide in Washington State in indoor public settings and outdoor public locations where six feet of distancing cannot be maintained. The last section of this post addresses what this requirement means for your business. King County started it all in May 2020 when it issued […]
Be Prepared for Reopening Your Business with COVID-19 Policies in your Employment Handbook
Recent changes in law and best practice guidance from the CDC and local authorities require employers to adopt written COVID-19 related policies before returning employees back to the office. For a fixed fee, we are offering the following: COVID-19 Package: COVID-19 plans and policies including: a general checklist for employers an infected employee response plan a […]
US Supreme Court Recognizes Employment Rights Based on Same-Sex and Gender Identity Status
The Supreme Court of the United States announced its 6-3 decision today affirming that Title VII protects employees from discrimination on the basis of sex, and that basis includes sexual orientation and gender identity. The Court addressed three consolidated cases in which each of the complainants was terminated shortly after their same-sex orientation or transgender […]
Time to Diversify Your Corporate Board – It’s the Law
Twenty-Five Percent Threshold On March 27, 2020, Governor Inslee signed Senate Bill 6037 into law, effective on June 11, 2020. Pursuant to Senate Bill 6037, a new section will be added to RCW 23B.08 (the Washington Business Corporation Act, “WBCA”), requiring all public companies in Washington to diversify their boards of directors by January 1, […]
Phase What? King County Now in “Phase 1.5”
On June 5, 2020, King County was approved for “modified Phase 1” under Washington State’s Safe Start Washington plan for reopening business in phases. Modified Phase 1 is not everything that Phase 2 is, but it’s more than Phase 1 where the county has been stuck while other counties have moved to Phase 2, and […]
Facial Coverings Required in Washington Workplaces
Beginning June 8, 2020, cloth face coverings and masks must be worn by all workers in all workplaces and job sites in Washington state.