As pandemic spreads, so do lawsuits: 3 key tips.

Hundreds of employee coronavirus-related lawsuits are popping up in state and federal courts, and those numbers are expected to rise. The most common claims involve discrimination, retaliation, worker safety, work-from-home and leave issues.

Here's a sampling of some new cases and the message to employers:

1. EMPLOYEE LEAVE. A San Jose manufacturer terminated all 17 of its employees who requested leave provided under the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act. As you can guess, that caught the Department of Labor's attention, which went after the company. As a result, the company settled with the DOL to pay the 17 workers more than $41,000 and restore their jobs. (Rogar Manufacturing)

   The message: Make sure execs and managers understand the new FFCRA leave laws and never retaliate against workers who ask for any legally protected leave.

2. LAYOFFS. An employee in New Jersey alleged that, in a COVID-related downsizing, his employer targeted African-American employees for termination and furlough. (D'Anjou v. Performance Food Group) The message: Make sure your selection criteria for any layoff or furlough is based on measurable performance metrics that can...