Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
IndependentsApr 23, 2020
What to Consider When Screening Employees for COVID-19
During a webinar Wednesday afternoon, an attorney who specializes in employment litigation gave a list of dos and don’ts for employers to consider as businesses reopen.
New York—While much of the country remains under lockdown, there are a handful of states allowing businesses to reopen right now, with more set to follow on May 1.
For businesses reopening now, or looking to do so in the next month, there is much to consider.
They need to worry about, among other issues, how to clean and keep employees and customers safe, and the local laws regarding how many people can be let in the store at one time.
There’s also this: how to screen staff for COVID-19 without violating any employment laws and what to do with the information if an employee tests positive.
On Wednesday, an attorney who specializes in employment litigation helped clear up those issues.
Tom McCormick, a partner in the Columbus, Ohio office of law firm Vorys, was part of a five-person webinar presented Wednesday afternoon by Centurion titled “Navigating the Key COVID-19 Legal Issues Impacting Jewelers.”
Tiffany Stevens, president, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, moderated the panel.
McCormick outlined what employers can, and cannot, ask of employees when they return to the store following the shutdown.
According to McCormick, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say employers can:
—Take employees’ temperature at their place of work;
—Ask if they’ve been tested for COVID-19; and
—Do targeted screening of employees, but, McCormick cautioned, only if there is a credible belief based on objective evidence that they might have the coronavirus, like a hacking, persistent cough.
“Otherwise, you should not be targeting any employees,” he said, noting all EEOC guidance on workplace discrimination continues to apply.
Employers cannot discriminate against employees based on age, race, sex, disability, etc.
McCormick said employers also can ask their employees if they’ve come in contact with anyone who has, or has had, COVID-19, but they cannot ask them specifically if family members have contracted or are exhibiting coronavirus symptoms.
He also suggested employers consider having their employees fill out a wellness certificate when they arrive to work stating they took their temperature before they left the house that day and are otherwise symptom-free.
One of the retailers on the panel, Michael Richards, vice president of Underwood Jewelers, which operates three stores in Florida, said the company has purchased forehead thermometers for testing.
If employers discover one of their staff has COVID-19, McCormick said they can:
—Require them to stay at home;
—Instruct them to follow CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for self-isolation and returning to work;
—Ask when it started and which other employees they’ve had contact with;
—Notify coworkers that “a colleague” has COVID-19; and
—Share the name of the infected employee with public health agencies.
But, he noted, employers are not allowed to tell their staff exactly who it is who has COVID-19, as that information is confidential and should go into a confidential medical file, not into the employee’s general file.
During Wednesday’s webinar, McCormick also went into the requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), passed and signed into law by President Donald Trump in March.
The FFCRA, which went into effect April 1, requires employers with 500 or fewer employees to provide staff with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave when they have issues related specifically to COVID-19.
McCormick said the act requires two weeks of paid emergency sick leave for employees who qualify and expands the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The law runs through Dec. 31, 2020 and dictates that as of April 17, employers must have this poster displayed at their places of business outlining the requirements of the act.
The poster is available in additional languages on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website.
—Instruct them to follow CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for self-isolation and returning to work;
—Ask when it started and which other employees they’ve had contact with;
—Notify coworkers that “a colleague” has COVID-19; and
—Share the name of the infected employee with public health agencies.
But, he noted, employers are not allowed to tell their staff exactly who it is who has COVID-19, as that information is confidential and should go into a confidential medical file, not into the employee’s general file.
During Wednesday’s webinar, McCormick also went into the requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), passed and signed into law by President Donald Trump in March.
The FFCRA, which went into effect April 1, requires employers with 500 or fewer employees to provide staff with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave when they have issues related specifically to COVID-19.
McCormick said the act requires two weeks of paid emergency sick leave for employees who qualify and expands the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The law runs through Dec. 31, 2020 and dictates that as of April 17, employers must have this poster displayed at their places of business outlining the requirements of the act.
The poster is available in additional languages on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
