Guidance for Responding to the Novel Coronavirus in the Workplace

As the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread in the U.S., employers need to be aware of both their legal rights and obligations and the practical considerations in responding to the outbreak to minimize its impact on the workplace. In doing so, employers must work through not only the legal requirements of various federal and state laws, but in a way that allows them to continue to effectively operate. Employers that plan now will be best placed to weather the storm. 

Workplace Safety

The General Duty Clause of the Occupational and Safety Health Act requires nearly every employer to furnish to each worker “employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” Although no specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard applies to COVID-19, OSHA’s website directs employers to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers.” 

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