Law firm Fisher Phillips has been tracking COVID-19 workplace lawsuits, and it noted an "exponential" increase in its analysis of June filings. "This data is a stark reminder for employers that typical best practices cannot be ignored simply because we are operating in unprecedented times," the firm said in a press release announcing the findings.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has emphasized a similar message since the pandemic took hold in the U.S. The agency has urged employers time and again not to discriminate against certain groups of workers in developing policies and practices to keep operations running and employees safe. HR Dive has spoken to experts who have advised how employers can do just that, in addition to ensuring those best practices Fisher Phillips invoked.