Start-Up Launchpad Blog

Pear Deck Acquired by GoGuardian - December 7, 2020

Pear Deck, an Iowa-city based educational technology company that Davis Brown has counseled since incorporation in 2015, has been acquired by GoGuardian. Read More »

 

HR Quick Take: PTO or Emergency Paid Sick Leave? - December 3, 2020

Q: I have an employee who is out on vacation and has now called in because they have tested positive for COVID. Is that vacation leave or FFCRA leave? Read More »

 

HR Quick Take: FMLA or FFCRA? - November 25, 2020

I have an employee who plans to go out on leave for surgery but has been told by his physician he has to quarantine for five days prior to surgery because of COVID-19. Is this leave covered under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave component of the FFCRA or FMLA? Read More »

 

Remote Work, Masks, Mitigation, and Limits: Employer COVID-19 Obligations - November 17, 2020

The Governor's most recent proclamation directs Iowa businesses and employers to take appropriate precautions to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. Read More »

 

Iowa Updates COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance - September 30, 2020

In a press conference on September 29, IDPH changed its definition of "close" contact to exclude individuals who are wearing masks. Read More »

 

Waiting for the COVID-19 Vaccine? Don't Waste Your Time, Create a Plan Now - September 17, 2020

There is a real possibility that the U.S. will approve a COVID-19 vaccine in the coming months; however, there is debate as to when the vaccine will become public. When that happens, employers will face the question of whether to require employees to be vaccinated and need to start planning now. Read More »

 

Back to School Brings a New Wave of COVID-19 Policies and Questions - September 1, 2020

With many families facing uncertainty involving their children's schools, the applicability of the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (E-FMLEA) provided under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) is likely. Read More »

 

Calling an employee a temp doesn't make it so - August 24, 2020

During the pandemic, more employers may turn to temporary employees, but they should pay careful attention to the circumstances in which the law's definition of temporary will impact an employer's obligations. Simply calling someone temporary doesn't make them temporary when they work for an extended period. Read More »

 

Requiring Face Masks for Employees, Customers, and Visitors - August 10, 2020

Many businesses and offices have or are considering requiring customers and visitors to wear masks. Suggestions for businesses considering a mask requirement to reduce risk of aggression, violence, or lawsuit. Read More »

 

Transitioning to a Permanent Remote Workforce - August 5, 2020

Whether to save money on office space leasing or to reduce the risk of disease transmission, many companies are evaluating their options to move to remote work. Before jumping in, there are a few employment law notes to consider. Read More »