On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation restricting travel to the United States of nationals from 19 countries. The proclamation is a result of a Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order issued to reaffirm the Trump administration’s commitment to stricter national security policies. The restrictions, effective 12:01 am EDT on Monday, June 9, 2025, are based on concerns over terrorism, inadequate vetting, failure to accept removable nationals and high visa overstay rates.Continue Reading President Trump imposes travel restrictions on nationals of 19 countries

After President Trump’s DEI-related Executive Orders and Presidential Acts, employers have grappled with their DEI policies. Employers now have some agency guidance on what the Trump Administration considers illegal DEI practices and potential implications. The documents linked below focus on “educating the public about unlawful discrimination related to ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ in the workplace.”Continue Reading What employers need to know about the EEOC’s guidance regarding discrimination related to DEI and Title VII

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, a federal court in Georgia issued a nationwide injunction against Executive Order 14042, which required many federal contractors to mandate vaccination of employees at facilities which provide support for their federal work. As we have reported in recent weeks, attorneys general and other business groups have been filing lawsuits across the country to prevent vaccine mandates from going into effect.
Continue Reading Federal contractor vaccine requirements blocked

The Biden administration recently announced the deadline for employees of federal contractors covered by Executive Order 14042 to be vaccinated for COVID-19 will be extended to Jan. 4, 2022. Previously, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force set a deadline of Dec. 8, 2021, for federal contracts entered into or modified after Oct.15, 2021.
Continue Reading Biden administration extends federal contractor vaccination deadline to Jan. 4 to align with OSHA and CMS deadlines

Conventional understanding of unemployment benefits leads to the logical conclusion that when employees are capable of working and offered suitable employment, they are not entitled to collect unemployment benefits. But like many other things in the post-COVID-19 world, conventional thinking no longer rules the day.

Last week, on June 16, 2020, Gov. DeWine issued an Executive Order addressing unemployment benefits eligibility during the COVID-19 epidemic. It provides that when an employee is called back to work in the same position as before the Director of Health’s special orders, there is a presumption that the position is considered “suitable work” under the Ohio unemployment insurance program. However, an employee may refuse to return to work and still be eligible for unemployment compensation if “good cause” exists for the refusal.
Continue Reading When can an employee in Ohio refuse to return to work and still get unemployment?

On March 22, 2020, Dr. Amy Acton, health director for the Ohio Department of Health, signed the “Director’s Stay at Home Order,” calling on all Ohioans to stay at home or at their place of residence unless conducting or participating in essential activities, essential governmental functions, or essential businesses and operations.

The Director’s Order, which will be enforced by local departments of health and local law enforcement, goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 23, 2020 and remains in effect until 11:59 on April 6, 2020. The Order has a number of key directives for businesses operating in Ohio.Continue Reading Ohio “Stay at Home” order limits business operations to slow spread of COVID-19

Restrictions placed upon indoor recreational locations

On Monday, March 16, 2020, Ohio Governor Michael DeWine announced on Twitter that he will be issuing an order to close gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, bowling alleys, indoor water parks, movie theaters and trampoline parks until further notice. This order took effect at the close of business on Monday, March 16th.

Restrictions placed upon bars and restaurants

Continue Reading Ohio takes executive measures to curb COVID-19 pandemic