Editor’s Note

The World Health Organization has declared the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. There are now over 7,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported globally.  

Employers are understandably concerned about their employees and business continuity. This month’s cover article The Novel Coronavirus: Preparing Employers To Respond, provides some general guidance on the legal issues that employers may encounter. 

No business is invulnerable where sexual harassment in the workplace is concerned. Federal, as well as state and local laws prohibit workplace harassment. However, some laws apply to employers who meet certain employee thresholds. So, even if small employers aren't subject to anti-harassment rules, should they follow suit? Read Diane Faulkner’s article Do You Have A Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure In Place? to know the key steps toward eliminating workplace harassment. 

We are in the midst of one of the tightest labor markets in 50 years with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Combined with an increasingly globalized and competitive marketplace where workers can afford to be selective, employers find themselves having to navigate with precision a variety of new requirements and regulations to stay competitive. To ensure compliance policies are air-tight across the globe in the coming year and beyond, catch up with Sushma Tripathi’s article Four Compliance Trends Every HR Leader Should Know In A Tight Labor Market and learn major trends and challenges they present. 

This is not all! This month’s issue of HR Legal & Compliance Excellence is packed with top trending topics in the legal and compliance arena, and infused with information on new policies and laws to arm you and your employees to stay compliant and safe.