Speaker, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education Webinar, "The NEW New Jersey Workplace: What Attorneys Need to Know about Reopening, EO-192, Vaccination, and Staying Safe"

It has been nine months since the start of the pandemic and employers are in a seemingly impossible situation. If they remain closed, they risk the failure of their business and harsh financial consequences for them and for their employees. If they reopen the wrong way, they risk legal exposure, spreading a contagious disease, and putting lives in jeopardy.

Requirements for All New Jersey Employers

In recognition of this dilemma, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 192 (EO-192) which became effective on November 5th. The order notes that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has not issued occupational safety or health standards specific to COVID-19, and provides specific requirements for businesses to reopen in a safe way.

However, even if an employer strictly follows the guidelines, there are additional risks and complications. For example:

• Can an employer compel someone to come into the office?
• If an employee is at work and contracts COVID, who is the employer allowed to notify under privacy laws?
• What happens if an employee is at a high risk but they aren’t being productive when working remotely?
  Employers and business owners will look to you for answers. Make sure you’re prepared.