Laborsphere

New Statement of Changes to U.K. Immigration Rules, Including the New Post-Brexit U.K. Immigration System

On 22 October 2020, the United Kingdom government issued a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules that will come into force for visa applications submitted after 9 a.m. on 1 December 2020. Under the new rules, the visa application process for European Union (EU) and non-EU-nationals will be the same. Additionally, four new routes to obtaining a visa have been added, as well as numerous changes to other routes and concessions for the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

Now What? COVID-19 + Flu Season

Many workplaces are likely to see a rise in flu activity at the same time as an increased rate of COVID-19 infections. The paramount concern for all employers should be keeping sick workers out of the workplace. Now is the time to get ahead of the questions that are likely to arise. The CDC’s and other guidance will certainly continue to evolve, and it is important to continue to monitor developments and adjust policies accordingly. However, having a plan in place will bode well for employers and employees alike and will provide a solid starting place to incorporate new guidance as it is issued.

For the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.

November 2020 Visa Bulletin Update: USCIS Will Continue Using ‘Dates for Filing’ Chart

On October 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued the November Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that it will use the “Dates for Filing” chart. For employment-based visa categories, the “Dates for Filing” chart is the same as last month, except for modest advancement in the EB-3 China “other workers” category. Foreign nationals who are eligible to file their employment-based visa applications in October can file their applications in November.

The November “Final Action Dates” chart shows slight forward movement in employment-based visa categories. Notably, EB-1 India and China categories will advance by six months.

For more information on this topic, please see our earlier legal update on the October Visa Bulletin.

OFCCP Issues Request for Information Supporting President Trump’s Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping

Executive Order 13950 first made waves in September, with concerns that its stated goal of stamping out “offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating” might curtail federal contractors’ ability to provide diversity workplace trainings. After publishing guidance clarifying the particulars of the Executive Order and launching a hotline to receive complaints, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is now seeking comments, information and materials from the public regarding potentially noncompliant trainings. The agency’s Request for Information was published in the Federal Register on October 21, 2020.

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New California Laws for 2021: What Employers Should Know

Several new laws in California impact employers in a multitude of operational areas. From leave regulations to workers’ compensation, safety enforcement, wages and more, business leaders have much to research when it comes to compliance. All employers with operations in California should be aware of these new laws, understand how these laws may affect their operations and consult with counsel to address any questions on these new obligations.

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Hostile Environment Claims in a Work-From-Home World

The work-from-home trend presents a host of employment law challenges, including unavoidable changes to how employers investigate and defend claims of hostile work environments. Non-traditional work settings may even give rise to new types of harassment and discrimination, challenging employers to rethink workplace policies and training to make sure they apply to all work environments, whether in the office or remote.

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