HDR thirdshift
Mar
30

Small-business exemptions of the Families First Act

As discussed previously, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Famlies First Act) requires employers to provide paid sick leave and expanded Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) time. However, the act provided that the Secretary of Labor could exempt small businesses with fewer than 50 employees when the imposition of these requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business. In my earlier blog posts, I noted that lawyers were unable to identify the criteria for the exemption because the Department of Labor had not yet identified them. Notably, we anticipated regulations from the Department of Labor. However, as of this morning, we have informal “FAQ” guidance on the Department’s website that does give some clarity to the situation.

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Mar
27

Return-to-work recommendations for healthcare workers

Most employers have questions about when to send employees exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms home, when to allow them back to work, and how to handle their return to work. Hospitals are no exception—and understanding when healthcare workers can and should return to work after a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 illness is key to flattening the curve on the virus’ spread.

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Mar
27

IRS issues guidance providing payroll relief to employers covered by Families First Act

In a guidance document issued on its website, the IRS announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees.

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Mar
25

DOL announces April 1, 2020, as effective date for Families First Act

On March 24, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) posted a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which contains both the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Expansion Act. The FAQ introduced a new detail that we were all waiting on: the actual effective date for the Families First Act.

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Mar
24

SBA loans are available as part of relief for COVID-19 pandemic

Updated on March 31, 2020, with the changes made to the CARES Act that became law on March 27, 2020.

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