Last week, President Biden encouraged employers to pay employees for time off to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and highlighted the tax credits available for employers with less than 500 employees.
The American Rescue Plan Extends FFCRA Tax Credit, But Not the Mandate
On Mar. 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Plan extends the date employers can receive tax credits for qualified wages paid to employees from Mar. 31, 2021 until Sep. 30, 2021.
California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave in 2021
In 2020, employers with employees in California were inundated with new compliance requirements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the leave requirements of the FFCRA have expired, many local agencies are reviewing the supplemental sick leave ordinances that were adopted in 2020.
President Biden Calls for Reinstating and Expanding Mandatory Paid Leave as Part of COVID Relief Package
As all eyes were on Washington, D.C. last week with the inauguration of the 46th President. President Biden has laid out an “aggressive plan” to “change the course of the pandemic, build a bridge towards economic recovery, and invest in racial justice.”
Mandatory COVID-19 Benefits Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act Have Ended. Now What?
In March 2020, when Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) with a sunset date of Dec. 31, 2020, few anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic would be ongoing into 2021. But the pandemic has not slowed, and requests for COVID-19-related leave (along with the corresponding tax credits) continue.
California Employers Cannot Forget Local Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Yet
In September, when Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1867, employers hoped that the state-wide COVID-19 Supplemental Leave was a replacement for the patchwork of local ordinances. However, due to differences in coverage, many employers are faced with complying with the more stringent local ordinances.
School’s Back (Or Is It)! When Can Your Employees Take FFCRA Leave?
For many, the start of school looks different this year: from all virtual, to hybrid, to parent’s choice. Employers required to provide leave under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) may be wondering how to administer FFCRA leave under this new regime.
Washington Governor Creates COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program
Under the Washington COVID-19 Food Production Workers Paid Leave Program, no food production employer in Washington may operate from Aug. 18, 2020, to Nov. 13, 2020, unless the employer provides its workers with paid leave for certain qualifying events.
New York District Court Vacates Parts of FFCRA Regulations Including Healthcare Provider Definition
Shortly after the Department of Labor issued its FFCRA regulations, the state of New York filed a lawsuit challenging some of the provisions. Today (four months after the regulations went into effect, and just five months before the FFCRA is set to expire), the federal district court in New York struck down four provisions in the regulations.
DOL Issues Additional Clarification on FMLA, FFCRA, FLSA in COVID-19 Context
The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently issued additional clarification on its FAQs and guidance regarding the FMLA and the FFCRA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some highlights include:
Summer Break Does Not Necessarily Mean A Break From FFCRA Leave Requirements
Its July. A time when in normal years, schools are closed and families are planning vacations. But in 2020, paid vacation is being replaced with paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), leaving employers asking, can they still do that?