The Department of Labor has been issuing FAQs to try to explain the provisions regarding small employer exceptions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act before it goes into effect on Apr. 1, 2020.
DOL’s Latest FAQs Expand “Health Care Providers” and Define “Emergency Responders” Under FFCRA
The DOL’s latest FAQ’s allow employers of healthcare providers and emergency responders to exclude these employees from the leave provisions under both the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act.
DOL States That Employees on Furlough or Layoff Are Not Eligible for FFCRA Paid Sick Leave or Expanded FMLA
The Department of Labor issued additional FAQs addressing how the paid sick leave and expanded FMLA leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will apply starting Apr. 1, 2020.
EEOC Releases Recorded Webinar Addressing Important Questions
The EEOC published a webinar to address common employer questions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, including: taking employees temperatures, appropriate and inappropriate disclosure of information related to an employee’s COVID-19 diagnosis, and managing employee accommodation requests including requests from employees in the high risk categories identified by the CDC.
DOL Issues Families First Coronavirus Response Act Poster
The Department of Labor published the required poster for employers under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
DOL Publishes FAQs on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
According to the Department of Labor, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act will apply to leave taken between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.
Seattle Expands Its Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance in Response to COVID-19
Effective Mar. 18, 2020, the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance allows eligible employees working in Seattle to use PSST when their family member’s school or place of care is closed, regardless of whether such closure is made by a public official.
EEOC Updates Its 2009 Guidance Concerning Pandemic Preparedness
On Mar. 19, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its 2009 pandemic preparedness guidance: Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What Employers Should Know About Michigan’s Approach To COVID-19
With 53 presumptive-positive cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as of March 15, Michigan is taking proactive steps to reduce transmission of the virus.
Puerto Rico Senate Considers Unpaid Emergency Leave for Pandemic Illness
Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Puerto Rico House of Representatives approved a bill to establish a new unpaid emergency leave of 20 days for employees with a suspected or actual diagnosis of a pandemic illness.
California Paid Sick Leave and Coronavirus
Confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have risen swiftly in California and in response, administrative agencies have released guidance to employers regarding wage and hour issues and paid sick leave.
Pittsburgh Sick Days Act Effective Date is Right Around the Corner
On Mar. 15, 2020, the Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act finally goes into effect after its years-long journey through the City Council, the Mayor’s Office, and the Pennsylvania courts.
Colorado Continues Its Efforts Towards Paid Family Leave
There is a new proposed Colorado bill, which attempts to create tax incentives to encourage employers to voluntarily support paid parental and medical leave programs.
Governor Planning Big Changes to California Leave Laws
As California employers continue to grapple with recent legislation effective Jan. 1, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom is releasing his plans for even more employment legislation.
New Facts on Coronavirus Should be Continually Monitored by Employers
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, continues to raise not only health concerns, but issues for employers and employees.
The 5th Circuit Affirms “My Disability Made Me Do It” Is No Excuse for Sleeping on the Job
On Jan. 14, 2020, the 5th Circuit ruled on whether the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires an employer to excuse terminable misconduct — in this case, sleeping on the job — based on an employee’s after-the-fact, disability-related explanation.
Compliance Memos: January 2020
Paid Family Leave Benefit for Civilian Federal Employees Paid family leave for birth, adoption, or fostering is a new benefit for 2.1 million federal civilian employees, available for these family … Read More
Paid Sick Leave Quarterly: 4th Quarter 2019
The end of 2019 brought more nuances, but also resolutions to paid sick leave (PSL) state and local laws. For instance, challenges to the Michigan PSL law and Alabama preemption law were resolved, but the PSL turbulence in Texas continues as we await a decision from the Texas Supreme Court on whether it will wade into the PSL controversy.
Request for Opinion on Michigan Paid Sick Leave Law Rejected
On Dec. 18, 2019, the Michigan Supreme Court said no, it would not issue an advisory opinion on the legality of the recently enacted state PSL law.
Challenge to Alabama Preemption Law Rejected
On Dec. 13, 2019, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in an en banc decision, rejected the challenge to Alabama’s minimum wage and employment benefits preemption law.