COVID-19 Update June 23, 2020

The Supreme Court’s Bostock decision added LGBTQ rights to Title VII for non-discriminatory purposes, requiring the remaining 29 states who hadn’t yet passed any similar legislation to adhere to this regulation in their businesses. Although Title VII legally applies to employers with a staff of 15 or more, we recommend that all employers regardless of size remain prepared for additional training and handbook updates accordingly.

Moreover, three preceding court decisions have created exemptions for the prohibition of religious discrimination that are expected to be challenged as a result of last week’s decision, such as Title VII, Section 702a whereas specifically-defined religious organizations and religious educational institutions are exempted. It is expected that Congress will further clarify these religious protections.

We’ve got a busy week ahead with lots of new information released about the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (PPPFA), so be sure to tune in to our webinar this Thursday, June 25 at 3 PM CST as we will be going over the latest updates and answering any clarifying questions pertaining to this bill. If you’d rather speak offline, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Today’s Downloads:

  1. COVID-19 Safety Plans Can Reduce Return-to-Workplace Fears – OSHA recommends that employers develop an infectious disease preparedness and response plan and that each establishment conduct a hazard assessment for all jobs.
  2. Treasurer: Louisiana Business Grant Program to Begin in July – Some small businesses harmed by the coronavirus pandemic should start seeing grants as soon as next month from the $300 million that Louisiana received in direct congressional relief from the federally financed $1.8 billion program called Main Street Lending.
  3. Trump Suspends New H-1B Visas Through 2020 – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 22 restricting foreign nationals from outside the U.S. using certain temporary employment-based visas through the end of the year and extending a green card ban enacted in April through December 31.
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