Michelle S. Strowhiro
Subscribe to Michelle S. Strowhiro's PostsMichelle S. Strowhiro is an employment advisor and litigator. She provides trusted counsel to US and international companies on all aspects of employment law compliance. Michelle partners with clients to establish and maintain their strong and lawful employment policies and practices; manage their employee relationships from hire to termination; conduct workplace investigations; administer leaves and other workplace accommodations; and resolve disputes. She provides manager and employee trainings on management and sexual harassment. She regularly prepares and negotiates agreements, and advises companies on employment law issues for mergers and acquisitions. Michelle works with clients in the technology, fashion, food and restaurant, health care, sports, media and entertainment industries. Read Michelle Strowhiro's full bio.
Can Employers Offer COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives for Employees?
By Michelle S. Strowhiro, Judith Wethall and Ludia Kwon on Jul 28, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans
Can employers offer incentives for employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine? In short, yes. Incentives may take many forms, such as a one-time bonus, a gift card or a few extra vacation hours. Employers can get creative. According to McDermott’s Michelle S. Strowhiro, Judith Wethall and Ludia Kwon, there are two issues to consider when...
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Verifying Vaccination Status: What Employers Need to Know
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jun 24, 2021
Posted In Employment
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently offered employers leeway to relax safety rules for fully vaccinated workers. However, experts say that validating who is vaccinated is rife with potentially costly missteps. In an article published in Law360, McDermott partner Michelle S. Strowhiro said employers must be careful not to ask follow-up...
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OSHA’s COVID-19 Requirements for Healthcare Employers Take Effect
By Abigail M. Kagan and Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jun 23, 2021
Posted In Employment
On June 21, 2021, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) long-anticipated Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 requirements in the healthcare industry went into effect. Most of the requirements must be followed by July 6, 2021; the remainder (on implementing physical barriers, improved ventilation systems and employee trainings) must be implemented no later...
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Hoping to Keep Working Remotely? Here’s How to Convince Your Boss
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jun 15, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment
As more businesses reopen in the wake of COVID-19, many employees are seeking to continue their remote work arrangements indefinitely. In this Los Angeles Times article, McDermott partner Michelle S. Strowhiro suggests employees share their wishes with their employer sooner instead of later. “Now is the time to help shape those policies,” Strowhiro notes. Access...
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OSHA Releases Guidance for Employers Considering Vaccine Requirements
By Abigail M. Kagan and Michelle S. Strowhiro on May 18, 2021
Posted In Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Privacy and Data Security
Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released three new FAQs for employers who recommend or require employees to receive COVID-19 vaccines. OSHA is responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards across the US. McDermott previously reported that employers can require employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment, though employers should consider several factors before making the decision to...
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VIDEO: The COVID Vaccine – Understanding What’s Next
By Chris Braham, Christopher Foster and Michelle S. Strowhiro on May 12, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor
Employers have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and how to update their employment policies. In this video, McDermott partners, Chris Braham, Chris Foster and Michelle Strowhiro answer questions about vaccine requirements in the workforce, additional considerations and more. Access the video.
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California Expands COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
By Pankit Doshi, Saniya Ahmed and Michelle S. Strowhiro on Apr 1, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor
On March 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 95, significantly expanding California’s COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (CSPSL). This latest legislation now requires any California employer with more than 25 employees to provide CSPSL in addition to regular paid sick leave offered. Access the article.
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Can Employers Make COVID-19 Vaccination Mandatory?
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jan 28, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor
Can employers make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory? Yes, with some exceptions. Experts say employers can require employees to take safety measures, including vaccination. That doesn’t necessarily mean an employee would get fired if they refuse, but they might need to sign a waiver or agree to work under specific conditions to limit risk. With vaccine rollout...
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Cal/OSHA Adopts Emergency COVID-19 Workplace Standards
By Ellen M. Bronchetti and Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jan 13, 2021
Posted In Employment, Labor
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) adopted emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 prevention in the workforce, effective as of November 30, 2020, following approval by the Office of Administrative Law. These temporary standards require most Californian employers to implement a written COVID-19 prevention program meeting certain criteria. While many employers have already followed...
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COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Employers
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jan 12, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor, Privacy and Data Security
As the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are administered in the United States, employers have much to consider with regard to mandating the vaccine for their employees. Access the article.
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