On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order which directed the Federal Trade Commission to curtail the use of non-competes nation-wide in order to help promote competition and expand the economy. At the moment, only three states forbid the use of non-compete clauses in employment agreements: California, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Nearly one dozen states – including Massachusetts – have put tough restrictions on the use and enforcement of non-compete agreements irrespective of…

Houston Methodist Hospital was sued earlier this year by 117 unvaccinated employees.  The workers claimed that the hospital’s mandatory vaccination policy violated public policy because the vaccines at issue were approved by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) rather than through the typical lengthier process.  The workers alleged that they were being forced to serve as human guinea pigs, arguing that the hospital was making them “participate in an experimental vaccine trial  as…

Effective May 8, 2021, the State of New Hampshire will replace the existing “Safer at Home 2.0” restrictions with a series of “Universal Best Practices” for all individuals, businesses, and organizations to consider and implement for the operation of their business.  In rolling out the new guidance, Governor Sununu noted that the goal is to keep the guidance “truly universal.”  Previously, the State had issued more than 30 industry-specific guidelines.  The state did,…

Governor Charlie Baker announced on Tuesday, April 27 that as of April 30 masks will no longer be required in outdoor settings. Social distancing, however, must still be maintained. Effective Monday, May 10, large indoor and outdoor venues will be allowed to increase capacity to 25%. Effective May 29, various other venues such as bars and street festivals, will also be allowed to increase capacity. Face covering will still be required in indoor public places. The…

In a March 21, 2021 article the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) advised businesses to be prepared for a turnover “tsunami” once the pandemic ends.  Although turnover rates were high pre-pandemic, they stalled as employees settled in to whatever their personal situation might have been during the shutdown.  Research and consulting firm, The Work Institute, references a pent up turnover demand ready to be unleashed as companies ramp up hiring again. Recent surveys reveal…