Jones Walker LLP

You’re probably used to having Plan A, Plan B, and a plethora of contingency plans to deal with the many challenges posed by the pandemic. Because the government has not decided whether to extend the “flexibility” given to employers with respect to the verification of I-9 documents, employers might need to be ready for the procedures to return to “normal.” Since March, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has allowed employers operating remotely due to…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

The COVID-19 Workplace is Not a Time to Forget Your Normal Workplace Rules and Policies

By JoJo Adams

November 6, 2020

COVID-19 has caused many challenges in the workplace. Employees are working from home, working hybrid schedules, and conducting meetings by Zoom and other “not in person” methods. While things in today’s workplace range from fluid to uncertain to sometimes chaotic, employers are not relieved from complying with federal and state employment laws and requirements. There is no “COVID-19” exception to Title VII. Employers must still comply with federal and state employment rules that existed prior…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

CDC Updates Guidance on Return to Work

By Chris Mann

October 23, 2020

On October 21st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on what constitutes “close contact” with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for purposes of isolation. “Close contact” had been within 6 feet for a 15 minute period. It has now been revised to be within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period which greatly expands what may qualify. The CDC also provides…

Trade Secret Insider

Zooming In: How Using Zoom Improperly Can Destroy Trade Secret Protections

By Jason Culotta

October 22, 2020

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In April, our editor, Joe Lavigne, explained how employers can ensure trade secret protections while allowing employees to work from home during the pandemic. The article advised employers to restrict the transmission of trade secrets through social media platforms like Zoom. A recent decision out of Delaware confirmed that the failure to use Zoom privacy and security settings may result in the loss of trade secret protections. In Smash Franchise Partners, LLC v. Kanda Holdings,…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

Maritime COVID-19 Mandates Updated

By Grady Hurley

September 25, 2020

The Louisiana Maritime Association issued an updated COVID-19 Daily Report Supplement this week on September 23, 2020. In this supplement, there are updated links to current state and local guidance and some additional CDC recommendations for maritime pilots. Follow this link to access this report online.…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

Maritime and Offshore Industry Advices for COVID-19 Mitigation

By Grady Hurley

September 23, 2020

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, detailed arrangements, procedures, and protocols have been designed and implemented to help assure the health and well-being of seafarers and passengers, while maintaining day-to-day operations of marine and offshore assets. In a recent Maritime Executive article, authors Martin Petricic and Gareth Burton of ABS worked with Rear Admiral Joyce Johnson DO MA U.S. Public Health Service (Ret’d) to provide practical guidance and insights for the mitigation of infectious disease outbreak…

Disaster Prep & Recovery

Return to School Raises FFCRA Leave Questions

By Mark Adams & Maggie Spell

August 31, 2020

With kids going back to school, new questions regarding eligibility for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) are cropping up. Thankfully, the Department of Labor (DOL) recently supplemented its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to answer some of the questions that have arisen thus far. FFCRA recap The FFCRA, which remains in effect until December 31, 2020, requires employers to provide all employees with two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid…

Trade Secret Insider

Federal Court Rejects Request for In-Person Deposition in Trade Secret Case

By Thomas Hubert

July 23, 2020

With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing throughout the United States, lawyers have had to come up with creative solutions to complete discovery, particularly when it comes to taking depositions. Over the past few months and for the foreseeable future, most depositions are taking place, at least in part, using videoconferencing technology. As these depositions have become more widespread, some attorneys have asked courts to require in-person depositions. A federal court in Chicago recently considered a…

Trade Secret Insider

Federal Court Rejects Request for In-Person Deposition in Trade Secret Case

By Thomas Hubert

July 23, 2020

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Disaster Prep & Recovery

Executive Orders to Address Rising COVID-19 Cases in the Construction Industry

By Chris Cazenave & Tiffany Raush

July 22, 2020

Shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, many states, counties, and cities issued stay-at-home or shelter-in-place (collectively, SIP) orders to combat the spread of the virus. Please click here to review the early impacts of these sweeping orders. In recent weeks, many authorities have issued executive orders to address rising COVID-19 cases as state and local businesses begin to reopen. This update focuses on these most recent orders and any impacts…