Rachel L. Conn

In the news

• Bloomberg Law

  Biden OSHA revises union, worker-friendly inspection rule

  San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn, leader of the firm’s Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) practice, is quoted in this article on OSHA’s proposed revival of a 2013 policy allowing worker advocates to participate in nonunion workplace inspections even if they aren’t employees. Rachel explains why employers were initially concerned that the policy would lead to union organizing.

  Jan 17, 2023
• Bloomberg Law

  Whistleblower attorneys are looking beyond safety law boundaries

  This article discussing alternatives to OSHA enforcement and OSHA’s whistleblower provision quotes San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn, who mentions that employers need to be wary of workers who become aware of standards outside their normal duties that could turn up in a whistleblower complaint.
  May 12, 2022
• San Francisco Business Times

  40 Under 40: Rachel L. Conn, Nixon Peabody

  This article profiles San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn, who was selected by the leading regional business publication as a “40 Under 40” honoree. In the feature, Rachel answers questions related to her work and personal life, and she discusses how the pandemic sparked the need to think critically and creatively to provide clients with solutions amid the many unknowns.
  April 22, 2022
• San Francisco Business Times

  Meet the first group of San Francisco Business Times' 2022 40 Under 40 honorees

  San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn is spotlighted in this article for being selected as a 40 under 40 honoree, which recognizes the Bay Area’s top rising professionals across diverse industries.
  Feb 22, 2022
• The Business Journals

  The OSHA mandate rule is gone. Here's how businesses are proceeding.

  San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn is quoted extensively in this article covering how businesses are proceeding since the US Supreme Court blocked the OSHA vaccine mandate, including comments related to communication and customization being key best practices for employers since there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
  Feb 11, 2022
• Bloomberg

  Omicron's surge gives bosses a reason to order shots Biden can't

  San Francisco partner Rachel Conn is quoted on how the new Omicron variant may influence employers’ decisions to implement a mandate to help mitigate interruption of business operations.
  Jan 13, 2022
• Bloomberg

  Biden's vaccine rule is here and half of employers aren't ready

  In this article discussing OSHA’s federal COVID vaccination and testing guidelines for large private employers, which were announced on Thursday, San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn is quoted on the potential burden and obstacles posed by weekly testing.
  Nov 4, 2021
• HR Specialist Employment Law

  Q&A on OSHAs upcoming vaccine mandate-What it means for HR

  This industry newsletter includes the client alert “President Biden orders vaccination mandate for large employers,” co-authored by San Francisco partner Rachel Conn, Rochester partner Kim Harding, and Providence department attorney Shelagh Michaud, all of the Labor & Employment group. The Q&A covers OSHA’s emergency standards, the 100-employee threshold in Biden’s vaccination mandate, and how the rule affects state OSHA plans.
  Oct 1, 2021
• Bloomberg

  Vaccine mandates reach 25% of U.S. companies after Biden order

  This article, discussing President Biden’s directive to larger employers mandating vaccines or weekly testing, quotes San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn on the potential logistical heavy lift for employers in implementing weekly testing.
  Sep 30, 2021
• The Wall Street Journal

  Should you put your Covid-19 vaccination status on your résumé? Many hiring managers say yes

  This article, covering the growing trend among hiring managers to favor candidates who indicate on their resumes that they are fully vaccinated, quotes San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn on the potentially discriminatory nature of employers pushing for this information.
  Sep 27, 2021
• The Charlotte Observer

  What workers and employers should know a week after Biden issued COVID vaccine mandate

  This article, which has been syndicated across the country, quotes the client alert “President Biden orders vaccination mandate for large employers” co-authored by San Francisco partner Rachel Conn, Rochester partner Kim Harding, and Providence department attorney Shelagh Michaud, all of the Labor & Employment group. The content covers OSHA emergency standards, the 100-employee threshold in Biden’s vaccination mandate, and how the rule affects state OSHA plans.
  Sep 16, 2021
• CBS Radio – KNX

  Business Hour with Frank Mottek

  San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn joined the radio program to discuss President Biden’s proposal that would require employers with more than 100 employees to mandate vaccines or weekly testing, as well as the question of whether employers can deny sick leave or paid time off for any unvaccinated employees who contract Covid-19 and must miss work as a result.
  Sep 9, 2021
• Protocol

  Apple isn't the only tech company spooked by the Delta variant

  This article, on how some tech companies are reevaluating return to office plans in light of Covid-19 Delta variant concerns, quotes San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn on possible facial covering mandates and considerations about the Delta variant that employers should take into account.
  July 23, 2021
• CBS/KNX News Radio

  Cal/OSHA Updated COVID-19 Guidelines

  San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn discussed an upcoming Cal/OSHA emergency standard board meeting to review its recently updated COVID-19 guidelines on facial coverings, following the urging made by the California Department of Public Health to reconsider the board’s earlier guidelines to better align with CDC recommendations.
  June 9, 2021
• CBS/KNX News Radio

  In Depth

  San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn discussed Cal/OSHA’ s proposed updated COVID-19 guidelines and other top-of-mind issues for California-based employers and employees, including whether employers can ask for workers’ vaccination status, Cal/OSHA’ s requirement for vaccination documentation, and whether employers can require employees to be vaccinated.
  June 1, 2021
• Bloomberg Law

  Mask guidelines pose challenge to OSHA's ‘grave danger’ mandate

  San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn is quoted in this article on how the CDC’s updated guidance that the risk of COVID infection is minimal for people who are fully vaccinated likely weakens OSHA’s argument that there is a “grave danger” to employees.
  May 20, 2021
• Law360

  Employers face new risks as business travel returns

  This article on the risks employers face as business travel returns quotes Labor & Employment deputy practice group leader and OSHA practice chair Ben Kim, of Los Angeles, and San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn on the realities of a shifting office environment.
  March 16, 2021
• Law360

  CDC vaccine guidance offers ‘road map’ for employers

  Labor & Employment deputy practice group leader and OSHA practice chair Ben Kim, of Los Angeles, and San Francisco Labor & Employment partner Rachel Conn provide commentary in this article analyzing the CDC’s new post-vaccination guidance, discussing implications for employers.
  March 10, 2021
• Providence Business News

  RIMA to host virtual manufacturing conference and expo April 13

  This article, covering the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association’s annual conference, mentions that NP will host a workshop entitled “Making It Through Changes in Employment, Labor and Workplace Health and Safety Law.“ Providence office managing partner Andrew Prescott and San Francisco partner Rachel Conn, both of the Labor &Employment group, will present the session.
  March 9, 2021
• The Recorder (California)

  On the Move

  Los Angeles Project Finance & Public Finance partner-elect Jade Turner-Bond and San Francisco Labor & Employment partner-elect Rachel Conn were included in this roundup of notable legal moves for their promotions to partner.
  Jan 28, 2021
• Engineering News-Record

  California Poised For Growth Despite Pandemic Impacts, Regulations

  In this article on the workplace requirements for contractors and other employers in the construction industry, San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn is quoted for her outlook on Cal/OSHA’s definition of “exposed workplace” and the potential overlap of notifications requirements with AB 685.
  Dec 10, 2020
• KNX-AM

  In Depth

  San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn appears as a guest in this radio news segment to discuss the dilemma employers are facing and what they should consider—Cal/OSHA, California sick leave laws and other advisories—as they navigate how to provide a safe workplace for their employees during the holidays.
  Dec 10, 2020
• Bloomberg Law

  Former OSHA Head's Transition Role Suggests Quick Emergency Rule

  In this article covering former OSHA head David Michaels being named to President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team Covid-19 task force, San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn is quoted on employers’ trepidation over possible new regulation.
  Dec 8, 2020
• The Wall Street Journal

  Your Boss Can Restrict Your Holiday Plans in the Pandemic

  In an article covering what employers can and cannot enforce when employees are outside of the workplace, San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn explains how off-duty conduct laws in some states and union contracts could prevent employers from taking action against employees.
  Dec 7, 2020
• Modern Restaurant Management

  MRM Research Roundup: End-of-October 2020 Edition

  This roundup of current industry issues to watch highlights several thought leadership pieces from NP’s recently published fourth-quarter Food & Beverage Crystal Ball. The publication summarizes trends provided by San Francisco partner Alison Torbitt and counsel Ian O’Banion, both of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Group; Rochester Corporate associate Isaac Figueras; and San Francisco Labor & Employment associates Rachel Conn and Maritza Martin.
  Nov 2, 2020
• Bloomberg Law

  DOL Must Hand Over Amazon Safety Data to Journalism Outlet

  In this article on a recent decision requiring the U.S. Labor Department to provide unredacted safety records to an investigative journalism organization, San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn is quoted on how the decision could make it easier for media outlets and labor unions to request injury and illness data from the government. The decision could also lead to adverse publicity for companies.
  July 7, 2020
• Cannabis Business Executive

  Marijuana Social Clubs: How Colorado is Setting the Pace

  This article, on the reopening of Colorado’s marijuana hospitality industry, cites a recent NP alert that details guidelines for cannabis retailers to consider for revamping operations without spreading communicable illnesses. Cannabis Business Executive also re-published the complete NP alert, written by San Francisco Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Alison Torbitt; Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner, Litigation Department vice-chair, and Fashion practice leader Staci Riordan; and San Francisco Labor & Employment associates Hillary Baca and Rachel Conn.
  June 17, 2020
• Bloomberg Law

  Employers with skeleton crews are on the hook for their safety

  San Francisco Labor and Employment associate Rachel Conn discusses some of the methods employers are using to keep essential employees safe during the coronavirus outbreak—from staggered shifts to reconfigured work spaces.
  March 26, 2020
• CNN Business

  One of your employees is diagnosed with coronavirus What now

  San Francisco Labor and Employment associate Rachel Conn discusses the steps employers should take if they learn that an employee has contracted coronavirus, including reaching out to local health authorities and notifying employees, customers, and vendors.
  March 13, 2020
• Bloomberg Businessweek

  The Coronavirus checklist: Nine steps to protect your company

  In this article, San Francisco Labor and Employment associate Rachel Conn suggests that employers coping with coronavirus impacts create a communicable illness policy that outlines what illnesses are covered, employees’ obligation to report them, and employers’ communications practices during an outbreak.
  March 4, 2020
• Rochester Business Journal

  Coronavirus putting crimp on firms doing business in China

  Rochester Corporate partner Jeremy Wolk authored this column about how employers with business operations in China are responding to the coronavirus outbreak and related travel restrictions. The article is based on an alert by Hong Kong Corporate partner David Cheng, Los Angeles Labor and Employment partner Benjamin Kim, San Francisco Labor and Employment senior counsel Jeffrey Tanenbaum and associate Rachel Conn, and Director of Global Strategies David Kaufman
  Feb 21, 2020
• The Wall Street Journal

  Coronavirus closes China to the world, straining global economy

  This article quotes San Francisco Labor and Employment associate Rachel Conn discussing how employers are reacting to a wave of travel cancellations, store closures, and supply chain disruptions caused by the spread of coronavirus. Click here to read the article.
  Feb 3, 2020
• Society for HR Management

  California Employers Should Start Working on Violence-Prevention Plans

  In this article, San Francisco labor and employment associate Rachel Conn provides her insights related to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s draft regulation on workplace-violence prevention programs.
  Dec 9, 2019
• Recorder (Law.com)

  California nears enactment of nation’s first workplace violence prevention regulation for general industry

  Los Angeles partner Ben Kim and San Francisco associate Rachel Conn, both of the Labor and Employment practice group, co-wrote this contributed article analyzing California’s latest effort to prevent workplace violence through regulations.
  Sep 17, 2019
• Bloomberg Law

  INSIGHT: California overhaul of injury recordkeeping rules just a start

  San Francisco Labor and Employment associate Rachel Conn wrote this contributed article outlining California’s recent actions to strengthen its occupational safety record-keeping rules in response to weakened protections at the federal level.
  June 4, 2019
• SHRM.com

  How can health care workers who refuse to get flu shots be accommodated?

  San Francisco labor and employment associate Rachel Conn is quoted in this article about how employees should handle requiring flu shots for health care workers.
  Nov 6, 2017