During the COVID-19 pandemic, home medical equipment (HME) providers learned to be even more resourceful than usual. They found new ways to do business, allowing them to stay open and serve their patients safely. And we all learned how we can better prepare for a national emergency like a global pandemic. As businesses reopen and we settle into the new “normal,” it’s important now more than ever to consider these best practices for the (un)foreseeable future in order to protect...

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have an unprecedented effect on daily life, many business owners are looking forward to the future and a return to normalcy. However, even when stay-at-home orders are lifted and nonessential businesses are allowed to resume operations, there’s a lot for organizations to consider before they reopen their doors. What’s more, many of these considerations are workplace-specific and could be more involved depending on the industry you operate...

The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges in every corner of every industry across the globe— but it taught us as much as it challenged us, and businesses have learned how resilient and adaptable they are. Many organizations found themselves acclimating to a remote work landscape that will never be the same. Yet, just as businesses scrambled to get their workers and customers online, they then scrambled to protect themselves from increased cybersecurity threats. Ransomware attacks—a...

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put a major strain on every aspect of daily life around the world, including the United States. As spread of the disease shows no sign of slowing down, there is a steadily increasing concern in the United States regarding the health and wellness of not only our citizens, but the economy as well. In response, the United States Congress has been negotiating a historic stimulus package to address the havoc caused by the pandemic.  It appears Congress’...

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (the Act) was enacted to regulate workplace safety and health. The Act is administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Act and its accompanying regulations identify a significant number of recognized hazards and establish safety and health standards to address them. However, even when no standard specific to a recognized hazard applies, the Act requires employers to look after their employees’ general safety and health. For...

In light of the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, the Department of Labor (DOL) has published answers to frequently asked questions on how employers can stay in compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which regulates wage and hour conditions for employees. When responding to pandemics or other public health emergencies, employers must be aware of the effects these events can have on wages and hours worked under the FLSA. The guidance offered by these answers provides...