As the U.S. economy reopens in the coming weeks and months, employers are faced with the challenge of bringing employees back to work to a workplace that is drastically different from the one that existed just weeks ago. While states and cities will have unique requirements and conditions with which employers must comply, they intend to rely on, in large part, the constantly evolving guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Consequently, it will continue to be crucial for employers to comply with the most recent guidance from the CDC, OSHA, public health agencies, and the EEOC as they bring employees back to work and re-open businesses.
At the link below is a general overview of current guidance that employers must consider before allowing employees to return to offices and other workplaces, including:
- EEOC guidance for the interpretation of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act in light of COVID-19
- OSHA guidance on preparing the workplace
- CDC guidance on workplace health and safety
The overview is followed by a summary of the applicable return-to-work plans issued by the state of Tennessee and the city of Nashville. The final section of this update sets forth some frequently asked questions regarding the return of employees to the workplace in the era of COVID-19.