What Has COVID-19's Impact Been on Employment Law?

By Staff Reporter Aug 04, 2020 11:41 AM EDT

More than 2 million people have become infected with the novel coronavirus around the world. Currently, the United States is currently the epicenter of the outbreak, and states are trying to contain the spread of the disease. Not only has COVID-19 caused a global health disaster, but an economic crisis as well. The European Central Bank and Federal Reserve, as well as governments all around the world, have been furiously trying to stabilize markets.

COVID-19 has had a significant effect on employment law. From questions regarding workplace safety to properly evaluating the productivity of remote workers to workplace harassment moving from the office to online, the novel coronavirus has created new challenges and questions for employment attorneys, business owners, and employees.

COVID-19's Effect On the Economy

The real GDP in the United States, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, was estimated to have contracted by 4.8%. Reduced consumer spending, due to a combination of people being out of work as well as many businesses not being able to open, has had the greatest effect on GDP growth. It is estimated that 16.2 million workers have lost their employer-based health insurance since March due to the skyrocketing unemployment.

Areas where consumers stop spending were in durable goods, such as cars and furniture. It is estimated that it will cost trillions of dollars to recover the economy.

Specifically, in the state of Texas, over 3 million people have filed for unemployment since the pandemic required all businesses to shut down in mid-March. Because people are out of work, the largest source of funding for the state budget, sales tax, has dropped significantly, which will continue to affect the Texas economy.

Effect On Employment

Since the beginning of the pandemic, employment law cases have been skyrocketing due to the sudden and extreme changes in the workplace environment, schedule, and the home life of employees. Because of these changes, there have been new challenges as well as new laws and policies that affect employers, business owners, and how employment attorneys practice.

Litigation regarding remote work

Employment attorneys have been seeing an increase in discrimination claims filed by parents who believe they are being treated unfairly at this time. Parents who could not afford someone to take care of their child and we're not given the option to work from home lost their jobs.

Workplace Safety

Employers are not to require sick employees to provide proof of their COVID-19 test results or a doctor's note in order to qualify for sick leave or to return to work, mostly due to the fact that many clinics and medical facilities are too busy to provide such documentation to patients.

Relief Packages

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was originally signed on March 27, 2020, to provide relief to individuals and families who have lost their jobs or otherwise been impacted by the shrinking economy. However, it was set to expire in July. Near the end of July, the Act was proposed to provide an additional $1,200 to individuals and economic relief to families.

Why You Need An Employment Attorney

The situation regarding the novel coronavirus remains volatile and constantly challenges attorneys, lawmakers, employees, and families. An experienced and successful employment attorney is a professional who keeps abreast of these legal changes, and how they affect their clients and practice. To learn more, visit this website.