Information for employers, managers and professionals about the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic

Webinar: Religious Exemptions to COVID 19 Mandatory Vaccination Policies

              Recently, Merritt Green presented a webinar on Religious Exemptions to COVID 19 Mandatory Vaccination Policies. Employers and employees facing mandatory vaccination policies are struggling with understanding religious exemptions. This webinar will provide an overview of the law, of what constitutes a “sincerely held religious belief,” and what accommodations
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Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policies

With the coronavirus pandemic ongoing and new cases still being contracted due to new variants, many employers are considering or have already implemented mandatory vaccination policies. These policies bring up questions about what rights employers have regarding employees who refuse to get the vaccine. Since cases regarding vaccination policies are just starting to be heard
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President Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive is also for Federal Contractors

Employers can mandate Covid-19 Vaccination for Employees
On Thursday, July 29, 2021, President Joe Biden announced new measures to encourage vaccinations among Americans. Focusing primarily on increasing vaccinations at the federal level, President Biden stated that all federal government employees and on-site federal contractors are required to attest to their vaccination status. This order only applies to onsite contractors; it appears that
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Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Upheld by Texas Federal Court

Employers can mandate Covid-19 Vaccination for Employees
In a recent case, a Texas federal District Court upheld an employer’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. There, employees of a Texas hospital sued the hospital, claiming the policy violated Texas public policy and federal law, and that termination of employees who refused to get the vaccine would constitute wrongful termination. The court dismissed the employees’ case,
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Ask General Counsel: Can employers require employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations?

Published by Ask General Counsel on InsideNova, 4/13/2021 Can employers require employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations? Yes, with some exceptions and if the mandatory vaccine policy is job-related and consistent with business necessity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued new guidance that preemptively answers some questions that may arise now that COVID-19 vaccinations are beginning to
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Overview and Compliance with Virginia’s Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention

Webinar-2-9-2021-Covid-Standard-Overivew
The standard is Enforced by Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH), Applies to all employers covered by VOSH, Most requirements must be in place immediately, Training and infectious disease preparedness and response plan, if applicable, must be implemented by March 26, 2021 [Also look at the COVID Compliance Plan packages that make it easier and
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Employers: COVID-19 Rules adopted by Safety and Health Codes Board became effective January 27, 2021

Virginia-Permanent-Covid-Health-and-Safety-Announcement
In the absence of a federal standard, Virginia took action last year to create the nation’s first emergency temporary workplace safety and health requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective January 27, 2021, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam released Virginia’s a permanent standard replacing the temporary standard which has been in place since July 2020. The Permanent Standard has
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Webinar – Introduction to Virginia’s Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention, Feb. 2, 2021

Virginia Permanent COVID Prevention Webinar 2-2-2021
On January 27th Governor Northam approved the Final Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus that Causes COVID-19. This Permanent Standard will be applicable to most Virginia Employers. Jennifer Rose, Cooperative Programs Manager with Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH), joined host, Merritt Green, with the law firm General Counsel, P.C., for
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Virginia’s New Mandatory COVID Workplace Standard

Virginia Governor Executive Order
On January 13, 2021, the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board approved a Permanent Standard on COVID-19 that will require ALL VIRGINIA EMPLOYERS to implement workplace policies and procedures to protect their employees and customers.  This standard is meant to replace and supersede the Temporary Standard enacted last summer. The final draft of the Permanent
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Virginia COVID 19 Standard with VOSH Program Manager, Tracy Michaud (Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program)

Covid 19 Employer Saftey Requirements with Virginia Occupational Safety & Health Program Manager Tracy Michaud
Join Tracy Michaud, Consultation Program Manager with Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH), and host, Merritt Green, with the law firm General Counsel, P.C., for discussion of Virginia’s Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19 Pandemic. Ms. Michaud and Mr. Green will discuss: 1. Overview of VOSH Emergency Temporary Standard 2. VOSH Response (including enforcement actions) 3.
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COVID 19 Business Leaders Survive and Thrive Webinar 10 29 2020

General Counsel Recorded Webinar
Hear business leaders discuss how they are surviving and thriving through the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 has forced businesses to change and adapt. Business leaders will discuss lessons helping them and their clients survive and thrive. Hosted by Merritt Green with the law firm General Counsel, P.C., speakers include: Mark Stevenson, Founder/CEO, SmartHR; Russell Rowzie, President,
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Leesburg Man Arrested for $2.5M CARES Act Loan Fraud

Leesburg man arrested for $2.5M CARES Act Loan Fraud
In an October 20, 2020 Press Release, the Department of Justice announced that Didier Kindambu, was arrested on charges of fraudulently obtaining over $2.5 million in loans through the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for his businesses Papillon Air, Inc. and Papillon Holdings.  It is alleged that Kindambu created fraudulent payroll documentation and submitted
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Do you need mask signs for your business? Here are a few.

Covid-19 Workplace Sign for Virginia
Download and print any of these signs for your business. Wear-a-Mask-Posters Media Shareable- You May Not Know You’re Sick Media Shareable- Show The World You Care Media Shareable- Make Sure They Fit Media Shareable-It’s Easy to Make Your Own Media Shareable-Protect Us All Media Shareable-It Can Save Lives Media Shareable-Stay Home As Much As You
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COVID-19 Closed Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Cases (9/1-10/20)

Covid-19 Cases Virginia Occupational, Safety, Health (VOSH) as of 10-21-2020
  Download this document summarizing the Covid-19 Cases Closed by Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration as of October 20, 2020.Covid-19 Cases Closed by Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration as of October 20, 2020.
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Back To Work – A Complimentary Employment Law Series Part 3

Virginia Emrgency Covid-19 Mandatory Standard for Employers
General Counsel, P.C. Back To Work Complimentary Employment Law Part Three As employers gradually reopen, have employees return to the workplace, or simply continue to struggle through remote working, there is tremendous confusion as to the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.  The Back to Work Webinar Series will hopefully clarify and provide guidance to employers.
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Virginia Temporary (Covid-19) Emergency Standard for Employers 09 15 2020

General Counsel Recorded Webinar
Pursuant to Virginia’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard passed by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, all employers in Virginia must take certain actions to comply with the Standard. We’ve provided brief webinar for Virginia Employers to understand what this statute is, why it is important to you and how to get your business compliant
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How Can You Comply with Virginia’s MANDATORY COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard?

Learn How in This Webinar! Recorded Sep 15, 2020 at 12:30 PM EDT. This Webinar provided an overview of the Virginia Emergency Temporary Standard and discuss the Virginia Emergency Standard Forms Generator (VES Forms Generator) (www.covidcomplianceplans.com), to help Employers easily and inexpensively create the tools to comply with the Emergency Temporary Standard.
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District of Columbia Passes New COVID-19 Regulations for Employers

Employer Regulations for Covid-19
D.C. recently passed the Protecting Businesses and Workers from COVID-19 Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. The order requires employers, for the duration of the public health emergency, to “adopt and implement social distancing and worker protection policies to prevent transmission of COVID-19” in accordance with Mayor’s Order 2020-080. The Act also prohibits employers from retaliating
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Forms Generator to Help Employers Comply COVID-19 Emergency Standard

Link to video on what, why and how the VES Forms Generator helps Virginia Employers comply with COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (16VAC25-220)
6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 220 McLean, Virginia 22010 Phone: 703-556-0411 / Fax: 703-774-3965 Web: www.generalcounsellaw.com PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Merritt Green, Founder/Managing Partner, General Counsel, P.C. 703-556-0411 or mgreen@gcpc.com Virginia Emergency Standard Forms Generator (VES Forms Generator) Available to Help Employers Comply with Virginia’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard August 26, 2020…McLean, VA…Employer
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Employer Obligations & Penalties – COVID-19 Emergency Standard

Virginia Emrgency Covid-19 Mandatory Standard for Employers
6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 220 McLean, Virginia 22010 Phone:  703-556-0411 / Fax:  703-774-3965 Web:  www.generalcounsellaw.com PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Merritt Green, Founder/Managing Partner, General Counsel, P.C. 703-556-0411 or mgreen@gcpc.com Employer Obligations and Penalties of the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard All Virginia employers MUST comply by August 26, 2020. August 21, 2020…McLean, VA…Virginia’s
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