On April 27, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a new executive order (EO) requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to pay a $15.00 minimum wage to the thousands of workers who are working on or in connection with federal contracts. The new EO, titled “Executive Order on Increasing the Minimum Wage
Archives for April 28, 2021
COBRA Subsidy: You’ve Got Questions … We’ve Got Answers
The new 100 percent premium subsidy applies to individuals eligible for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage due to either a reduction in hours or an involuntary termination of employment, and it applies for the period from April 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021. The U.S. Department of Labor
South Carolina Expected to Implement Liability Shield Law to Protect Businesses From Certain COVID-19–Related Claims
The “South Carolina COVID-19 Liability Immunity Act” (Senate Bill 147) is expected to reach Governor Henry McMaster’s desk early this week for his signature. Senate sponsors initially introduced the act on December 9, 2020, and it received final approval in the House of Representatives on April 23, 2021. Similar to
CDC Issues New Guidelines for Vaccinated Persons
By: CDC Issues New Guidelines for Vaccinated Persons
On April 27, 2021, the CDC issued new guidance for fully vaccinated persons. Fully vaccinated means someone who is two weeks past their last dose of either Pfizer, Moderna or J&J’s Janssen vaccine.
The CDC guidance allows for fully vaccinated people to gather
9th Circuit Permits Enforcement of AB 5 Against Interstate Motor Carriers
In 2020, a California district court granted a preliminary injunction to prevent enforcement of Assembly Bill 5 (“AB 5”) against motor carriers operating within California. AB 5 codified the judge-made “ABC test” for classifying workers as either employees or independent contractors. The district court concluded, “there is little question that
Good News for Employers Seeking to Renew Employee Visa Petitions
By: Good News for Employers Seeking to Renew Employee Visa Petitions
On April 27, 2021, USCIS issued guidance to its officers instructing them to give deference to prior USCIS determinations when adjudicating petitions and applications involving the same facts and parties. This guidance reinstates USCIS’ 2004 policy memorandum memorializing a deference
Employers are Contesting OSHA’s COVID-19 Citations
Frustrated by constantly shifting guidance and shortages of respirators and other personal protective equipment experienced in 2020, employers are rejecting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations for COVID-19 infractions and contesting them like never before.
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DOL’s New Outreach Initiative and Guidance on Application of the FLSA to Pandemic Scenarios, Including the Compensability of COVID-19 Screening Activities
On April 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) posted an update on its blog regarding its new Essential Workers, Essential Protections initiative, which is designed to “ensure that workers know about the wage and hour laws that protect them – and how to contact [the DOL] to get
A Look Behind Basecamp’s Controversial Employment Policies
Basecamp CEO Jason Fried announced some changes at the remote working platform company on Monday. The most significant change seems to be the one over political speech:
No more societal and political discussions on our company Basecamp account. Today’s social and political waters are especially choppy. Sensitivities are at 11,
Biden Increases Minimum Wage and Phases Out Tip Credit for Federal Contractors
On April 27, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued an executive order increasing the minimum wage for workers working on or in connection with a federal government contract.
The CDC Has Released New Safety Guidance for the Fully Vaccinated
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance concerning facial coverings and social distancing for fully vaccinated individuals. While masks are still recommended in most settings, those who have been inoculated may begin to experience a slight return to pre-pandemic normalcy.
Biden Issues Executive Order to Encourage Worker Organizing and Bargaining
President Biden continues to make good on his campaign promise to be the most labor-friendly president ever. On April 26, 2021, he issued an executive order that seeks to increase union organization and strengthen the hand of organized labor. The order, which notes that the federal government in recent
Los Angeles’ biggest offices hanging onto office space
Los Angeles’ biggest offices are holding onto them.
Who were we and what were we thinking? A return to offices frozen in time.
Nonessential workers returning to their offices are now discovering tangible evidence of daily life before soft pants and Zoom meetings became ascendant.
Workers could get 12 weeks of paid leave under Biden’s plan. Here are the details
President Joe Biden wants to guarantee all workers 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.