COVID-19
CDC – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded its definition of “close contact” with someone infected with COVID-19. Previous guidance defined “close contact” as at least 15 consecutive minutes within six feet of someone who was infectious. The new guidelines expand that definition to 15 non-consecutive minutes within six feet of someone who was infectious across 24 hours.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Survey – About 25 percent of American workers said in a new poll that they have thought of quitting their jobs due to safety concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
New Jersey – The governor reiterated this week that he has no plans to prevent a scheduled hike in the minimum wage to $12/hr from taking effect Jan. 1.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Aurora, CO – Next week, the city council will consider an increase in the local minimum wage to $17/hr.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Chobani – The food manufacturing company announced that it would be increasing its starting minimum wage to $15/hr at some point in 2021.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Federal Tax Credits – Early in the pandemic, Congress mandated paid sick leave for some workers. An NFIB survey released a few weeks ago indicated that very few utilized the program. New data from the IRS indicates that employers have claimed less than one percent of anticipated payroll tax credits provided for in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Election Day – Thirty states require employers to allow employees to take time off to vote, either paid or unpaid. Employers should ensure they are in compliance with local laws.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
NLRB – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is seeking input over whether protesters’ use of a 12-foot inflatable rat named “Scabby” during union pickets is protected First Amendment speech or if it could amount to an illegal secondary boycott under the National Labor Relations Act.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
California – A state court ordered that Uber and Lyft must treat drivers as employees. The ruling comes just before Election Day when a ballot measure may exempt rideshare companies from the requirement specified in the now infamous AB-5 law.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Activism
2020 Election – Protect the Results, a coalition of nearly 130 activist groups, has pledged to conduct large scale protests in markets across the country if, in their opinion, the White House is interfering with the results of the election.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Texas – The state Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) launched the Texas Responsible Alcohol Delivery (TRAD) certification course to employees of businesses that hold a consumer delivery permit through the TABC.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Albany, GA – The city commission voted to approve permitting home delivery of alcohol from licensed restaurant establishments, leveraging the new state law allowing localities to expand off-premise sales of alcohol.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Grubhub – A class action lawsuit has been filed against the third-party delivery platform claiming the company is adding restaurants to its site despite not entering into a formal partnership or having the restaurant’s permission.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe