2021 Employment Law Update

While the Covid-19 pandemic has dominated virtually all aspects of the workplace over the past year, important developments in the employment law world have continued to occur. We’ll review the changes and developments that have occurred over the past year, including key employment law decisions from the United States Supreme Court, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the North Carolina appellate courts.  We will also examine a number of the shifts in the regulatory landscape, including changes in interpretations and policies made by the various federal agencies that regulate the workplace. As often occurs when the office of President changes parties, there are corresponding changes in the regulatory arena.

As workplaces have reopened and adapted to the realities of a pandemic environment, employers face new human resources issues and challenges.  Vaccinations have helped make the workplace safer; but, bring with them additional issues that employers must navigate. We’ll cover the key Covid-related legal issues impacting the workplace and offer guidance on how to address those issues.  

With shifting regulatory guidance, legal interpretations and applications of new and existing laws, corporate counsel and HR professionals have their plates full in trying to stay abreast of the latest issues that will impact their workplace. Some of these issues are driven by court decisions and agency actions, while others have been thrust to the forefront by social action and media coverage.  Employers who find themselves on the wrong side of these issues face high stakes in terms of both liability exposure and potential reputational damage.  Be sure you and your company’s HR and risk management policies and practices are keeping pace with the changes.