Page 56 - BusinessWest August 17, 2020

A Stern Test
Businesses, Employees Face Range of Back-to-school Challenges
By Marylou Fabbo
With schools reopening, parents and employers will be in a dif- ficult boat together as they attempt to juggle parenting with personal and professional responsibilities.
Parents are understandably anxious
about how they will meet their obligations to
both their children and their employers. Sev-
eral school districts have announced hybrid
returns with students alternating between
attending school and remote learning. Some
jobs just can’t be done from home, and some 9-to-5 workday. State parents who would otherwise be able to and federal laws that work at home will be needed to help their require employers to children with remote learning (or breaking provide a reasonable up arguments). accommodation to dis-
To make matters worse, schools that are abled employees in the workplace apply to already back in session have shown us that, remote employees as well.
despite precautions that are being taken, To meet these requirements, employers school-based COVID-19 outbreaks are a real may need to do things such as make adjust- concern. ments to equipment or the manner in which
cable in the workplace don’t go out the door simply because the workplace has moved to an employee’s home.
to reimburse employees for required busi- ness-related expenses, but what does that mean when employees use their own laptops and internet for at-home work?
“
apply when an employee trips over a toy during the workday and fractures her ankle?”
Does workers’ compensation insurance apply when an employee trips over a toy during the workday and fractures her ankle? How does an employer prevent and address sexual harassment in the remote workplace? Is it discriminatory to distribute extra or dif- ferent tasks that can’t be done at home to older employees who no longer have kids at home? All these issues should be discussed with your employment-law advisors.
For instance, Massachusetts employers must continue to make
sure their employees
take their 30-minute
Does workers’ compensation insurance
meal break and keep records of all hours worked, which may not look like the normal
Employment-law Compliance
There is no question that many parents will be working from home in some capac- ity once the school year starts. Businesses should keep in mind that laws that are appli-
work is completed. Notices that must be posted in the workplace should be electroni- cally distributed or mailed to an employee.
Still, there are many unanswered ques- tions, and businesses are advised to consult with legal counsel before taking any risky actions. For example, employers are required
56 AUGUST 17, 2020 LAW
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