To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: This week, we continue our 2021 outlook series with a focus on labor and employment. With the new Presidential administration this year, we anticipate a number of changes in labor and employment laws on the federal level. The following are a few of the issues that may impact manufacturers in 2021. Federal Government Involvement in COVID-19 Response We expect the new Presidential administration will increase the level of federal government involvement in the COVID-19 response, which may impact the role of states and municipalities. An overview of the new administration’s plans is available in the Biden Plan to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Prepare for Future Global Health Threats. Under his plan, Biden focuses on increasing the availability of free COVID-19 testing, requiring paid leave for individuals affected by COVID-19, ensuring that federal workers will receive workers’ compensation for exposure to COVID-19 and encouraging states to do the same, and offering emergency paid sick leave and caregiver leave, among other initiatives. The Biden/Harris administration has also revealed plans for two major spending initiatives, the first of which includes provisions for increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and increasing federal unemployment insurance benefits, and the second of which addresses longer term goals, such as job creation.