Worker’s Rights

New technologies may infringe upon people’s privacy. New York Times, May 14, 2020; New York Times, January 28, 2021.
Surveillance technologies monitor employees as they work from home. National Public Radio, May 13, 2020.

Give special attention to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of individuals when gathering data, collect only data elements and specimens necessary for disease control of protection, and remove personal identifying information from the data set as soon as it is no longer needed. APHA Code of Ethics, 4.2.5.

The effective management of teleworkers requires a results-based approach: identifying objectives, tasks and milestones, and monitoring and discussing progress without burdensome reporting. A policy framework for tackling the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 crisis, International Labor Organization

Retaliation against employees who have discussed outbreaks in the workplace or have criticized the company’s coronavirus response. Washington Post, May 24, 2020; Vox, April 14, 2020.
Erosion of boundaries between work and personal life. New York Times, May 26, 2020.

Ensure that resulting interventions have the least restrictions necessary to protect the public. APHA Code of Ethics, 4.2.8.
Promote policies that enhance community health and well-being and collaboratively respect the privacy, dignity, and civil liberties of individuals and communities affected by the policies and plans. APHA Code of Ethics, 4.5.8.

Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for raising concerns about safety and health conditions. Meat & Poultry Processors Interim Guidance, CDC
OSHA provides recommendations intended to assist employers in creating workplaces that are free of retaliation, and guidance to employers on how to properly respond to workers who may complain about workplace hazards or potential violations of federal laws. Meat & Poultry Processors Interim Guidance, CDC
Microsoft’s recent report assessed the strengths and challenges of remote work, providing recommendations for establishing a hybrid work environment to support employees.

Immunity from legal liability for nursing homes prevents family members from suing over allegations of neglect. New York Times, May 13, 2020.
Federal legislation addressing employer liability from workplace exposure to COVID-19 has not been passed. New York Times, June 12, 2020.

Health-care workers’ assumption of increased risks to their health during an influenza pandemic gives rise to reciprocal obligations on the part of governments and employers. WHO Ethics in Pandemic Flu
If workers are to take high risks, there is a duty upon society, in particular on their institutions, to support them. University of Toronto
Providing legal protection and mental health services to health care workers will help to ease the disproportionate amount of burden they will bear. Indiana University
Promote policies that enhance community health and well-being and collaboratively respect the privacy, dignity, and civil liberties of individuals and communities affected by the policies and plans. APHA Code of Ethics, 4.5.8.
Consistency in the implementation and application of the policy helps to ensure that similar cases will be treated equally. This will aid in limiting unnecessary discrimination and may assist in conveying the policy’s fairness to the public and to the affected parties. Indiana University

States have enacted liability shield laws to protect employers from being sued if workers contract COVID-19 at work. JD Supra
Worker’s compensation for COVID-19 varies by state. JD Supra