Articles Discussing Workplace Issues Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As all eyes are on Washington, DC today with the inauguration of our 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.” The 19-page plan the incoming administration published last week

On January 18, 2021, the Trump administration officially lifted widespread travel restrictions barring the entry of foreign national travelers physically present in the 26 countries of the European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil within 14 days prior to entry. Notably, the order lifting the bans is

On January 14, 2021, President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

There has been extensive reporting on the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill just released by President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team. News reports have highlighted key aspects of the plan including additional $1,400 stimulus checks, extended unemployment benefits, and money to […]

The post Proposed Relief Legislation Includes Major Workplace Changes

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines represents the beginning of the end of a terrible pandemic and the “light at the end of the tunnel” to return to some semblance of a pre-COVID workplace. As governments around the world are developing or implementing ambitious plans to vaccinate millions of

While its rollout has been slow, the vaccine is being administered across the U.S. and in other countries. As of January 15, 2021, nearly 36 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, just over 11 million in the U.S. For a variety of reasons, organizations want to know

A technical amendment to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Act) again makes workshare a viable cost-cutting option for employers, while providing financial security for employees.

In March 2020, when Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) with a sunset date of December 31, 2020, few anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic would be ongoing into 2021. Several similar state and local laws also sunset at the end of 2020. But the pandemic has not slowed,

On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law Congress’s spending bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021, which included the Additional Coronavirus Response and Relief (ACRR) provisions that modified the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP, a loan program designed to provide a direct incentive

A contentious issue during the recent presidential campaign was the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter where one fell along the spectrum of supporters and critics, there was no denying the wide gulf of positions on the topic.

During the early months of the pandemic, the Social Security Administration (SSA) took a break from issuing “no-match” letters to employers. It appears that towards the end of 2020, however, the SSA has resumed this practice.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Act) provides certain COVID-19-related relief, including temporary additional flexibility regarding flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Employers have several practical considerations when deciding whether to adopt one or more of the changes in their plans.

Under the FSA changes, employees need not lose the benefit of the dollars

On January 6, 2021, Canada’s federal government issued a News Release announcing the issuance of an Interim Order by its Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau.  Among other things

When the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired on December 31, 2020, COVID-19-related leave was no longer assured for many employees throughout the United States unless another law, like the Family and Medical Leave Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act, applies.

The Internet is ablaze with news of the recently passed Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (Supplemental Act), which is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Read on for how the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) changes in light of the Supplemental Act, as well as details about additional funding that is now available.