The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provided a preview of its implementation of the new federal sick leave mandated by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (CRA) passed on March 18, 2020. The release refers to an exemption available to businesses with fewer than 50 workers from the extended childcare-related leave provisions “where the viability of the business is threatened.”

On March 18th, New York’s Governor signed the COVID-19 Leave Law which provides emergency paid sick leave and job protected leave to certain New York-based employees who have been impacted by COVID-19. 

On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R. 6201, known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”), in response to the COVID-19 crisis. It provides for employer-paid leave to employees from April 2, 2020 through the end of the year.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and related control measures by the federal, state and local governments have given rise to many questions from our clients concerning force majeure clauses in contracts. A force majeure clause allocates the risk of unforeseen supervening events that were not contemplated by the parties when they entered into the business relationship or transaction. Generally, force majeure events include acts of God, natural disasters, epidemics, terrorism, government actions, embargos, labor strife and other events that disrupt an otherwise stable and functional business relationship.

Due to the many unknown and developing variables and growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, O’Hagan Meyer would like to take the time to let you know that we are assessing the situation daily and following all Federal, State and Local guidelines. We have established protocols and policies to maintain operations at all our office locations as well as virtually.