The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced cost-of-living adjustments that affect limitations on qualified retirement plans and health plans. The increases take effect on January 1, 2021, and are modest when compared to prior years.
Executive Order Bans Certain Diversity Trainings for Federal Contractors — May Also Impact Private Employers
On September 22, the president issued an Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, which prohibits certain types of diversity trainings for federal employees and federal contractors. The Order prohibits federal contractors from using “any workplace training that inculcates in its employees any form of race or sex stereotyping or any form of race or sex scapegoating.” The prohibition on these types of training applies to any training that would ascribe “character traits, values, moral and ethical codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to a race or sex.”
CDC Updates Guidance on Return to Work
On October 21st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on what constitutes “close contact” with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for purposes of isolation.
CDC Updates Guidance on Return to Work
On October 21st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on what constitutes “close contact” with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for purposes of isolation. “Close contact” had been within 6 feet for a 15 minute period. It has now been revised to
Ryan Quoted in Bloomberg Law on PPP Loan Forgiveness Strategies for Employers
Graham Ryan, a partner in the Litigation Practice Group in the New Orleans office, was quoted in the Bloomberg Law article “When a Paycheck Protection Effort Meant to Save Jobs Doesn’t” regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and how employee lay-offs may impact loan forgiveness.
DOL Publishes Proposed Rule on Independent Contractor Status
On September 22, 2020, the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule offering employers guidance on whether workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on September 25, 2020. There is a 30-day comment period during which the public may provide comments or ask questions about the proposed rule. This process may lead to changes in the proposed rule. Further, there may be attempts to stop or stall implementation of this proposed rule until after the November elections.
Maritime COVID-19 Mandates Updated
The Louisiana Maritime Association issued an updated COVID-19 Daily Report Supplement this week on September 23, 2020. In this supplement, there are updated links to current state and local guidance and some additional CDC recommendations for maritime pilots. Follow this link to access this report online.
FFCRA “Health Care Provider” Definition Narrowed by DOL
Almost six months after the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued regulations under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), those regulations have been revised (effective September 16, 2020) in response to a federal district court decision invalidating a handful of provisions interpreting the FFCRA.
OSHA Guidance Related to COVID-19 for Healthcare Providers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued guidance on its response plan on May 19, 2020, reinforcing its prioritization of COVID-19 cases, specifically targeting hospitals and other healthcare providers.
The US First, Fifth, and Sixth Circuits Render Recent Decisions That Analyze the Enforceability of Restrictive Covenants in Employment Agreements, Teaching Employers Some Valuable Lessons
Three recent appellate court decisions teach employers some valuable lessons when drafting employment agreements that contain restrictive covenants.
What’s New? Revised Paid Leave Regulations
Nearly six months after the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued regulations under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), those regulations have been revised (effective September 16, 2020) in response to a federal district court decision invalidating a handful of provisions interpreting the FFCRA. The DOL responded by revising some of the regulations to reaffirm the DOL’s original positions and amend others.
Heidingsfelder Authors Construction Executive Article on Employee Safety during COVID-19 Pandemic
Jane Heidingsfelder, a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group, authored the Construction Executive article “Keep Employees Safe from the Impacts of COVID-19” about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for workplace safety during the pandemic and how to record and cite work-related evidence following an employee’s contraction of COVID-19.
Golden Rules of Preparing a Business Interruption Claim
Commercial enterprises doing business in Louisiana are beginning their recovery in the wake of Hurricane Laura. Many face catastrophic property losses, often accompanied by business income losses due to a complete cessation of business activities. Fortunately, many business owners have had the foresight to contract for business interruption insurance (also called “business
Spell Authors an Article on Wage and Hour Issues Caused by COVID-19
Maggie Spell, a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group in the New Orleans office, wrote the article “COVID-19 Crisis Stirs Up Lots of Wage and Hour Issues,” originally published in the Southeast Employment Law Letter and republished by HR Daily Advisor. Maggie identifies areas that need extra attention right now, such as changes in job duties and pay cuts, and how they tie into the anticipated litigation trends.
Return to School Raises FFCRA Leave Questions
With kids going back to school, new questions regarding eligibility for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) are cropping up. Thankfully, the Department of Labor (DOL) recently supplemented its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to answer some of the questions that have arisen thus far.
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