Employers generally have the ability to define terms and conditions of employment, including health and safety standards in the workplace. As a result, the general rule is that employers may require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of returning to on-premises work. However, every general rule has some exceptions and qualifications. The . . .
Recently there has been a noticeable increase in complaints filed by employees with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) concerning COVID-19 infection control procedures. Employees have complained about a lack of enforcement or implementation of COVID-19 safety measures such as mask wearing, temperature checks, and proper social distancing. Although OSHA has not implemented a . . .
A bankruptcy court in Illinois has held that a governor’s shut-down order, combined with a force majeure provision in a restaurant’s lease, partially excused the restaurant’s obligation to pay rent.* The case is significant because it provides commercial tenants a basis to seek relief from rental payments due to COVID-19. Governor’s Executive Orders as Force . . .
