On December 2nd, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on the length of quarantine required for an individual who is asymptomatic but was in close contact with someone with COVID-19. The prior guidance required quarantine for 14 days (other than for critical infrastructure workers). The
Jones Walker Attorneys in Alabama and Mississippi Recognized in 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers List
Jones Walker LLP is pleased to announce 13 attorneys in Alabama and Mississippi have been named in the 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers list. Additionally, two attorneys in the Jackson office were selected as 2020 Mid-South “Rising Stars.”
The Pandemic Is Far from Over, but I-9 “Flexibility” Might Be
You’re probably used to having Plan A, Plan B, and a plethora of contingency plans to deal with the many challenges posed by the pandemic. Because the government has not decided whether to extend the “flexibility” given to employers with respect to the verification of I-9 documents, employers might need
Mississippi Governor Proposes Elimination of Individual Income Tax
In a Monday press conference on Facebook Live, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves laid out an ambitious plan to eliminate the state’s individual income tax in the upcoming legislative session starting in January.
Adams Quoted in HRLaws.com Article on Expected Employment Changes During Biden Administration
Mark Adams, a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group in the New Orleans office, was quoted in the HRLaws.com article “Employers Exploring What Changes a Biden Administration Will Bring” on the impact a new administration will have on policies affecting the workplace.
Lavigne and Kee Discuss Employee Productivity, Information Security, and Confidentiality on HR Works Podcast
Trade Secret Insider co-founders Joe Lavigne and P.J. Kee were guests on the recent HR Works Podcast episode “HR Works 128: Employee Monitoring and Protecting Trade Secrets.”
“Defined Contribution Plans, Section 401(k) Plans: Tax Aspects,” Bloomberg Law Benefits Guide
Susan Chambers, a partner in the Tax Practice Group in the New Orleans office, and Linda Bounds Keng, a partner in the firm’s Tax Practice Group in the Jackson office, authored the chapter titled “Defined Contribution Plans, Section 401(k) Plans: Tax Aspects” in the Bloomberg Law Benefits Guide.
The COVID-19 Workplace is Not a Time to Forget Your Normal Workplace Rules and Policies
COVID-19 has caused many challenges in the workplace. Employees are working from home, working hybrid schedules, and conducting meetings by Zoom and other “not in person” methods.
While things in today’s workplace range from fluid to uncertain to sometimes chaotic, employers are not relieved from complying with federal and
IRS Releases 2021 Benefit Plan Limits and Thresholds
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. “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.
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