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.
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.
Continue Reading
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...
Continue Reading
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...
Continue Reading
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.
Continue Reading
With Everyone Working from Home, What’s the Future of Freelance?
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jan 7, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Labor
The freelance space, one of the few sectors to thrive as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis, has seen a surge of openings, especially with the shift to remote work. But the blurred new reality can be bad for freelancers: An employer can have two workers doing essentially the same job, and sometimes...
Continue Reading
The EEOC Releases First Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Jan 6, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor, Privacy and Data Security
On December 16, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its first direct guidance for employers regarding COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Important takeaways from the guidance, as well as FAQs from the EEOC, are discussed in the attached link. Access the article.
Continue Reading
Can Employers Require Workers to Get Flu Shots?
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Nov 3, 2020
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans
Flu season is officially here, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic’s continued effects across the country, doctors are imploring people to get their annual flu shot. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, McDermott partner Michelle Strowhiro discussed approaches and options for employers as they consider making the flu vaccine mandatory. Access...
Continue Reading
Healthcare Employers: What You Need to Know about the New FFCRA “Health Care Provider” Exclusion and California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
By Michelle S. Strowhiro on Oct 20, 2020
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans
Healthcare employers are immediately impacted by two recent developments in federal and California COVID-19 paid leave laws: a Department of Labor revision to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and a new California supplemental paid sick leave legislation. For both changes in the law, quick action is required for compliance. Access the article.
Continue Reading
Can Employers Make Vaccines Mandatory in a Pandemic?
By Sandra M. DiVarco and Michelle S. Strowhiro on Oct 14, 2020
Posted In Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor
Even though a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 isn’t available yet, it’s not too early for employers to start considering whether they will require employees to get the vaccination when it is ready. In a recent article by the Society of Human Resource Management, McDermott partners Michelle Strowhiro and Sandy DiVarco highlighted some of the factors,...
Continue Reading
California AB 685 Requires Employers to Provide Notice of COVID-19 Exposure in the Workplace
By Michelle S. Strowhiro and Saniya Ahmed on Sep 30, 2020
Posted In Employment, Labor
California’s AB 685, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last week, does two things: (1) it creates an enforceable statewide standard for how employers handle potential exposure to COVID-19 and outbreaks of COVID-19 in the workplace; and (2) it expands the power of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to enforce this standard and...
Continue Reading
