Ahead of the Curve
August 2021
PURPOSE
The Professional Development Advisory Committee’s (PDAC) purpose in providing you this communication is to further its goal of periodically sharing topical information regarding the legal industry. Our hope is that one or more of the updates will provide a spark of insight to assist with your work on behalf of ALA as well as within your firm or legal department.
Past Issues
"CAN EMPLOYERS MANDATE A VACCINE AUTHORIZED FOR EMERGENCY USE?"
As employers considered whether to encourage or require workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, many had concerns about the legal risks associated with a mandate, particularly since some of the approved vaccines only have emergency use authorization (EUA). Employment law attorneys said that recent developments may alleviate some of those concerns. This article is being updated as the law develops.
Learn more.
Note: Since this article was published, the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. Read more about this development and the legality of mandates in this LM Extra from ALA’s Legal Management magazine.
Resource: Lisa Nagele-Piazza, JD, SHRM-SCP, SHRM
"THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE MENTAL WELL-BEING A PUBLIC HEALTH MUST"
With the psychological impact of the pandemic likely to linger for years, self-care is not a luxury but a public health necessity. Focusing on mental wellness is a collective social responsibility. As third and fourth waves of COVID-19 surge in some parts of the world, highly vaccinated countries are cautiously reopening, breathing more freely, hopeful in early indications that inoculation will keep virus and variants under control. As we look ahead, we must also find solutions to supporting and improving mental health.
Learn more.
Resource: Julie van Ongevalle, World Economic Forum
"WHEN DO WE ACTUALLY NEED TO MEET IN PERSON?"
As company leaders grapple with what a return to the office should look like, they should take the opportunity to think carefully about which parts of work should be done in person, which should be virtual, and which can benefit from a mix, then can design toward that ideal.
Learn more.
Resource: Rae Ringel, Harvard Business Review
