May 11, 2023 marked the end of the two federal COVID-19 Emergency Orders.  To address the announced end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Orders, on May 15, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued key updates to its COVID-19 technical assistance, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.”

As the EEOC reminds employers, the end of the federal Orders does not alter employers’ legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal equal employment opportunity laws. 

The updates provide practical guidance for employers on how to properly address ongoing COVID-related employment issues, such as COVID-19 screening procedures, reasonable accommodations for Long COVID, the continuing need to assess reasonable accommodations that were provided due to pandemic-related circumstances, and harassment and discrimination issues that may arise due to COVID-19 precautions.

This update is a reminder to employers to review their existing policies to ensure continued compliance with workplace COVID-19 and anti-discrimination laws.  Employers should also keep in mind that different state and local regulations may have continued COVID-19 requirements for employers.  For a more detailed review of the EEOC’s technical assistance, click here.

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Photo of Elizabeth N. Hall Elizabeth N. Hall

Elizabeth N. Hall is a Shareholder in the firm’s Labor and Employment practice area and serves as the Chicago office chair of the firm’s women’s affinity group, “Women at Vedder Empowering Success” (WAVES).

Ms. Hall represents a wide range of employers before state

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Elizabeth N. Hall is a Shareholder in the firm’s Labor and Employment practice area and serves as the Chicago office chair of the firm’s women’s affinity group, “Women at Vedder Empowering Success” (WAVES).

Ms. Hall represents a wide range of employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, as well as in arbitral forums, defending them against various claims, including single plaintiff and class allegations of employment discrimination, failure to accommodate disabilities, sexual harassment, wrongful and retaliatory discharge, breach of contract and violations of the FMLA and wage and hour laws. Ms. Hall has successfully argued procedural and employment discrimination issues in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and has particular expertise in managing electronic discovery teams in complex litigation.

A significant portion of Ms. Hall’s daily practice involves providing practical advice to employers regarding risk management; effective employee discipline and discharge; conducting workplace investigations; accommodating disabilities and pregnancy; workplace violence; managing leaves of absence and complying with FMLA and state leave requirements; workforce reductions; drafting and reviewing employment, recruitment and staffing agreements; policy and handbook development; wage and hour compliance; and state and federal employment laws. She frequently trains clients and employer groups on many of these topics.  Ms. Hall also has extensive experience drafting and negotiating severance, settlement and conciliation agreements on behalf of employer clients.

In 2017 and 2018, Ms. Hall was recommended by The Legal 500 United States for the Labor and Employment Disputes (including collective actions): Defense category. In 2018, she was named to the Crain’s Custom Media “Chicago Notable Women Lawyers” list. She also was selected as an Emerging Lawyer, an affiliate of Leading Lawyers, from 2015 to 2019. From 2010 to 2015, Ms. Hall was selected for inclusion as an Illinois Rising Star, and Super Lawyers named her one of the “Top Women Attorneys in Illinois” in the “Rising Star” category in 2013 and 2014.

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