The Latest on Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

Many employers are being inundated with employee requests for religious exemptions to vaccine mandates. Employers who are evaluating religious exemption requests must take a nuanced approach or risk violating federal anti-discrimination statutes, suc… Read More
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Does Back to School Mean Back to Work or Quarantining?

Prior to the pandemic, for most employers, children going back to school was a cause forcelebration. With children on a regular routine, working parents’ availability became moreroutine and, outside of holiday periods with school closures, fewer va… Read More
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Healthcare Employers: Don't Learn About the FLSA "Learned Professional" Exemption the Hard Way

A widespread myth regarding the FLSA is that employees who are “on salary” do not need to be paid overtime. This misunderstanding of the law creates a significant risk that healthcare entities may be violating the law by failing to pay their empl… Read More
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Unemployment Benefits Unavailable for Those Who Refuse to Comply with Employers’ Vaccine Mandates

Due to the alarming spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant among the unvaccinated, coupled with FDA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine, many private employers have implemented vaccine mandates. These mandates are permissible, so long as precaution… Read More
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No, HIPAA Does Not Prevent Employers from Asking About Vaccination Status

As businesses have begun mandating vaccinations for employees and customers, many have heard a common response, in one form or another, “You can’t ask me that because of HIPAA.” In written form, these responses often invoke the prot… Read More
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Wal-Mart Ordered to Pay Over $125 Million to Former Disabled Employee

Wal-Mart has been hit with over a $125 million dollar jury verdict in a lawsuit filed against it by the EEOC. A Wisconsin jury found that Wal-Mart was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) when it discriminated against an em… Read More
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FDA Full Authorization Leads to More Employer Mandates

On August 23, 2021, the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which had previously been authorized under an emergency use authorization. Although some private employers had begun implementing vaccine mandates for employee… Read More
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Increased Hiring Means Employers Should Perform a Criminal Background Check Check-Up

Governor Hogan’s recent decision to end Maryland’s participation in the federal enhanced employment benefits program and to reinstate the requirement that those collecting unemployment benefits resume their efforts to find work is likely to spur… Read More
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Employer Vaccination Mandates have Title VII and ADA Implications

As they resume pre-pandemic operations, employers are understandably concerned about the safety of their employees and clients. As a result, many are implementing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for their employees. According to the most rece… Read More
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Hazy Laws Around Marijuana Use Creates Headaches for Maryland Employers

Over the past ten years, states and local governments have increasingly legalized the use of marijuana, depending on the reason. A majority of states and DC have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes while a growing minority of states… Read More
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