Archives of Newsletter Articles

COVID-19 PHE TO END ON MAY 11, 2023

On January 30, 2023, the Biden Administration announced their intention to end the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency declarations (“PHE”) on May 11, 2023. The announcement was made to comply with the Administration’s commitment to give a notice of no less than 60 days and to give healthcare providers ample time to adjust […]

UPDATES ON THE FTC’S PROPOSED NON-COMPETE RULE

On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, outlining a new proposed rule (“the Rule”) that would effectively ban non-compete agreements. The FTC considers non-competes to be violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, which aims to prevent unfair methods of competition. The announcement has […]

ATTENTION, NORTH CAROLINA CORPORATIONS AND LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES

Annual reports for corporations and limited liability companies with fiscal years ending on December 31 are due April 15, 2023. Filing of annual reports can be completed via the North Carolina Secretary of State’s online filing system.   If you have questions or concerns about your reporting obligations, please do not hesitate to reach out […]

EEOC RELEASES UPDATED GUIDANCE REGARDING HEARING DISABILITIES AND ADA COMPLIANCE

On January 24, 2023, the EEOC released an updated guidance document, “Hearing Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act.” The guidance specifically focuses on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) applies to job applicants and employees with hearing disabilities, including when employers may ask for information regarding a disability, types of […]

WORKPLACE CONSIDERATIONS AND PROTECTIONS FOR PREGNANT AND NURSING EMPLOYEES

2023 brings increased protections for pregnant and nursing employees, with the passing of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act on December 29, 2022. Both Acts expand employer obligations to pregnant and nursing employees, including break time and reasonable accommodation requirements. Covered employees include mothers who have […]

HHS RELEASES BULLETIN ON TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES AND HIPAA

On December 1, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued a bulletin regarding electronic tracking technologies and their interaction with the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules (“HIPAA Rules”). The bulletin defines tracking technologies, acceptable and unacceptable uses, and outlines actions covered entities should take to ensure compliance.  Tracking technologies […]

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR USING AN ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME IN NC

December 1, 2022, was the deadline for complying with North Carolina’s revised laws regarding assumed business names, as the 2017 Assumed Business Name Act went fully into effect. The revised set of laws established a public, searchable online database for all assumed business names across the state. Additionally, businesses can designate multiple counties in which […]

BATTLING EMPLOYEE BURNOUT: QUIET QUITTING AND THE GREAT RESIGNATION

Amongst lip-syncing clips and influencer tutorials, the idea of “Quiet Quitting” has recently become a major trend across social media. Quiet Quitting, which is considered a rebellion against “hustle culture,” encourages employees to avoid going above and beyond for their employers and to stick to the bare minimum of their job duties. This trend arises […]

EEOC RELEASES UPDATED “KNOW YOUR RIGHTS” POSTER

On October 20, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) released a new “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster, replacing their “EEO is the Law” poster. The new poster includes several changes, including straightforward language and formatting, emphasizing harassment as a form of discrimination, clarifying the definition of sex discrimination, and providing equal […]