Coronavirus / COVID-19

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The New York City Commission on Human Rights recently announced the formation of a COVID-19 Response Team to address and ameliorate increased harassment and discrimination related to the virus. From the press release: Since February, the agency has recorded 248 reports of harassment and discrimination related to COVID-19, over 40% (105) of which identify incidents…

Read More NYC Commission on Human Rights Forms COVID-19 Response Team to Address Increased Virus-Related Harassment and Discrimination
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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces various federal anti-discrimination laws (including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) has recently reaffirmed its commitment to addressing and remedying discrimination arising from or relating to the COVID-19 situation. From the EEOC chair: Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic can bring out the best…

Read More EEOC on COVID19-Based Race and National Origin Discrimination
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Below and here is the letter sent by the Attorneys General of New York, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia to the CEO of Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. regarding their alleged “unlawful response to the COVID-19 pandemic and national emergency.” From the letter: [I]t is a false and deceptive practice and a violation of…

Read More States to Town Sports: Stop Charging Fees While Facilities Are Closed
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It was recently reported that Amazon terminated a Staten Island-based warehouse employee after he participated in a worker walkout protesting the company’s response to apparent incidents of coronavirus in the facility. New York’s Attorney General is looking into whether this constitutes unlawful retaliation. (See also, Law360, March 30, 2020, “Amazon, Instacart Workers Strike Over COVID-19…

Read More Amazon Allegedly Fires Employee For Raising Coronavirus Concerns
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On March 19, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.7 (“Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency”), which, inter alia, permits documents to be notarized utilizing audio-video technology through April 18, 2020. The Order provides, in pertinent part: Any notarial act that is required under New…

Read More New York Permits “Virtual” Notarization in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic
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The EEOC recently offered information on how the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act may apply in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This document links to a prior document, titled “Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act” (written during the H1N1 outbreak), which has been…

Read More EEOC Issues (Updated) Guidance Regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act and COVID-19
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On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.8, titled “Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency.” This Order affects various New York laws, including the Civil Practice Law and Rules, the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and the Business Corporation Law. It imposes the following changes to various…

Read More NYS Executive Order 202.8 Extends Statutes of Limitation Etc.
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The New York State Legislature and Governor Cuomo have reached an agreement on legislation that would provide emergency paid sick time in response to the coronavirus / COVID-19 (available immediately) and permanent statewide paid sick time rights (beginning January 2021). The details of the legislation are summarized in a fact sheet issued by A Better…

Read More NY Paid Sick Leave Agreement Reached in Light of Coronavirus / COVID-19
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It has been reported (see, e.g., here and here) that Chinese and Asian American persons are experiencing hardships and discrimination relating to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Such discrimination – which can arise in several contexts, such as employment, housing, education, and places of public accommodation – may be actionable under federal, state,…

Read More Coronavirus and Discrimination
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