As South Carolina businesses begin working toward resuming their normal operations, the risk of facing litigation related to the COVID-19 crisis remains high. Now that most restrictions have been lifted, infection rates are once again rising; and, while Governor McMaster has signaled that he does not intend to impose another “home or work” order based on the current data, businesses (and consumers) must continue doing their part to mitigate the spread of the virus.

For employers, the risk of workplace exposure is not the only litigation-related concern. Litigation risks (i.e., discrimination, harassment, and equal pay claims) that existed before the pandemic has not gone away and statutes enacted during the pandemic have afforded new and significant workers rights. With this in mind, South Carolina employers need to take a broad-based approach to risk mitigation as they operate during the COVID-19 crisis and must avoid overlooking issues – new or old – that create the potential for liability exposure.

How Can Your Company Mitigate Its Risk of Employment Litigation During the COVID-19 Crisis?

When it comes to mitigating risk during the COVID-19 crisis, employers can take several steps to – and should – minimize opportunities for virus exposure, observe their employees’ statutory rights, and react promptly if an issue arises. Here are five tips from the attorneys at Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP:

Tip #1: Make Sure Your Company has Clear Policies and Procedures, and Make Sure They are Followed

In general, employers should have clear policies and procedures that establish company-wide standards and serve as the foundation for the company’s broader compliance and risk mitigation efforts. Concerning the COVID-19 crisis, in particular, employers will generally be well-advised to adopt additional policies and procedures that address issues such as:

  • Implementation of social distancing practices and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as appropriate
  • When employees who have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 may (or are required to) take time off or work remotely
  • Rules and requirements for working remotely and protecting sensitive data
  • Rules and requirements for entering the workplace and for returning from time off due to COVID-19 exposure
  • What will be done in the event of a potential COVID-19 exposure incident in the workplace?

These are just a handful of examples. While these are uncertain times, employers can take steps to mitigate the uncertainty for themselves, their employees, and their customers. Doing so will be essential for as long as the risk of COVID-19 exposure remains.

Beyond simply adopting appropriate policies and procedures, another critical aspect of risk mitigation is ensuring that these policies and procedures are followed. To this end, employers should conduct training, post information in their facilities, and undertake other measures to ensure that all employees understand their rights and responsibilities.

Tip #2: Apply Policies and Impose Discipline Consistently Throughout Your Company’s Workforce

When issues arise, employers must ensure that their management personnel apply the company’s policies and consistently impose discipline. Disparate treatment of similarly-situated employees can lead to allegations of discrimination or harassment; and, absent clear (and documented) justification, it can present a liability risk. As with all employment-related decisions, decisions about COVID-19 must not be based on employees’ protected characteristics, and they must not be used as subtexts for undertaking prohibited acts.

Tip #3: Investigate Employee Claims and Complaints Promptly, But with Due Consideration for Employees’ Statutory Rights

If an employee files a claim seeking statutory benefits or a complaint alleging either discriminatory treatment or failure to prevent COVID-19 exposure, a prompt response is required. Employers must ensure that they have a clear understanding of their employees’ statutory rights (i.e., their right to paid, job-protected leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)), and they must investigate all claims and allegations in good faith.

When evaluating employees’ claims, employers must be careful to ensure that their efforts do not put them at risk for additional liability. For example, if an employee seeks to take protected leave under the FFCRA, the employer can take steps to verify the validity of the employee’s claim. Still, it must also be careful to avoid violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other statutes.

Tip #4: Thoroughly Evaluate All Potential Claims Before Taking Disciplinary or Defensive Action

In the same vein, before taking disciplinary action against an employee or taking defensive action in response to allegations of wrongdoing, employers must ensure that they have thoroughly evaluated all potential claims on the table. This includes claims that may be asserted by the affected employee but similar claims that other employees may assert. Even under normal circumstances, dealing with employment-related disputes involves unique dynamics and presents unique challenges. With COVID-19-related issues having a relatively high likelihood of affecting multiple employees, employers must be especially cognizant of the total liability risks involved.

Tip #5: Work with Your Company’s Employment Law Counsel to Find Pragmatic and Cost-Effective Solutions

With all of these considerations in mind, during the COVID-19 crisis, employers need to address their liability risks proactively. They need to adopt and implement appropriate policies and procedures. It is imperative that company leaders have a clear understanding of what they can, should, and need to be doing during the pandemic. We recommend that all employers work with their legal counsel to find pragmatic and cost-effective solutions focused on mitigating their risk while also providing adequate protection for their employees.

Speak with an Employment Lawyer at Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP | South Carolina’s Labor & Employment Law Firm

Gignilliat, Savitz & Bettis, LLP is a management-side employment and labor law firm located in Columbia, South Carolina. If you have questions about what your company needs to be doing during the COVID-19 pandemic, our employment lawyers invite you to get in touch. Call 803-799-9311 or contact us online to arrange a confidential consultation.