On Friday, the State of Georgia declared a variety of businesses, including hair salons and gyms, could open their doors again even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage. This week, other states will follow suit.
This situation poses a hard dilemma for millions of Americans asked to return to work—as well as those in essential industries who have had to work all along—about how to balance risks to their health and their livelihood.
According to legal experts, employees don’t have a blanket right to refuse to work during the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean they can’t demand protection from obvious risks. Meanwhile, lawyers are advising business owners to think carefully about worker safety as they navigate a situation fraught with legal implications.
