The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 expands upon some popular tax credit provisions and makes other changes to a key tax provision regarding compensation deduction limitations. These changes are summarized below.
Archives for March 15, 2021
New Connecticut CROWN Act Bans Natural Hair Discrimination in the Workplace
Connecticut has joined the growing list of states that prohibit discrimination on the basis of traits historically associated with race, including hair. On March 10, 2021, Connecticut adopted legislation to ban natural hair discrimination in the workplace.
New York State Employees Entitled to Paid Time Off for COVID-19 Vaccinations
Effective immediately, New York State employers must provide employees with up to four hours of paid time off per COVID-19 vaccination. The new law sunsets on December 31, 2022.
Minnesota Eases COVID-19 Restrictions, Recommends Continued Work-From-Home
Nearly one year after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz first issued an executive order addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, he has issued new Emergency Executive Order 21-11 (Adjusting Limitations on Certain Activities and Taking Steps Forward), easing restrictions on social gatherings and occupancy limitations for certain industries.
Labor Board Withdraws Proposed Bar to Student Workers Unionizing at Private Colleges, Universities
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has withdrawn the rule it proposed in September 2019 to exclude student workers at private colleges and universities from coverage under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Will American Rescue Plan Act Multiemployer Pension Provisions Bring Relief to Employers?
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes a modified version of the Butch Lewis Act, referred to as the Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021 (EPPRA), which restores to financial health more than 100 failing multiemployer pension plans. However, the measure falls well short of any meaningful long-term funding reform.
Kathryn Montgomery Moran, Paul Patten and Jason Selvey Co-Author “How Ill. Employers Can Prepare For Anti-Discrimination Law”
Kathryn Montgomery Moran, Paul Patten and Jason Selvey co-author “How Ill. Employers Can Prepare For Anti-Discrimination Law,” published by Law360.
Justin Barnes Discusses Hazard Pay Calculations
Justin Barnes discusses COVID-19 hazard pay bonuses in relation to overtime and regular rate of pay calculations in “Are Bonuses to Front-Line Workers Included in Overtime Calculations?” published by SHRM.
Stephanie Lewis and Laura Mitchell Discuss Best Practices for Fostering Pay Equity
Stephanie Lewis and Laura Mitchell offer guidance for human resources administrators regarding strategic pay equity practices and voluntary internal audits in “How to Ensure Pay Equity for People of Color,” published by SHRM.
Richard Landau Discusses Mask Mandates
Richard Landau discusses the implications of businesses requiring customers to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and government-enforced mask mandates in “No Shoes, No Mask, No Service? Businesses Now Write the Rules on Face Coverings,” published by The Wall Street Journal.
New York Travel Advisory to Be Relaxed and Then Lifted
New York State’s travel advisory guidance has zigzagged once again. On March 10, 2021, new interim guidance was released by the Department of Health (DOH) relating to quarantine restrictions for travelers arriving in New York State following out-of-state travel.
New York Enacts COVID-19 Vaccination Leave
On March 12, 2021, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a piece of legislation into law that requires virtually all employers in New York to provide leave to employees who receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
California-Based Flight Attendants Are Protected by California’s Overtime and Meal/Rest Break Standards
While the Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Bernstein v. Virgin America, Inc., et al., ___ F.3d ____, 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 5197 (9th Cir. Feb. 23, 2021), gave some wins to the airlines, air carriers employing California-based flight crewmembers must, as a practical matter, now abide by the state’s stringent wage and hour laws – even if the crewmembers in question perform most of their work out of state.
Joe Biden, Union Guy?
He promised to be “the most pro-union president you’ve ever seen.” Following through on that might mean acting without Congress.
The Women Powering Biden’s Economy Are Rewriting The Course Of American History
Women and people of color are notoriously underrepresented in economics. Only 14% of full professors are women, and one survey found only 1.6% Black faculty in the economics departments of the 30 highest-ranked universities.