In the midst of raging wildfires in Northern California and the aftermath of hurricanes Laura and Marco in the Gulf states, many employers are wondering how to respond and what happens next, particularly where employers have already taken measures in response to COVID-19. After the waters and fires subside,
Articles Discussing Workplace Issues Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
U.S. Department of Labor Issues New Guidance on Remote Work
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a transformation of the workplace and an explosion of remote work, including for employees previously not covered under employers’ telecommuting policies. Despite the reopening of most state economies, many employers are continuing to allow their workforces to work remotely. Remote work by nonexempt employees
Returning to Work After Testing Positive for COVID-19
With the increase in COVID-19 cases in California and across the nation, employers are faced with a number of new challenges in the workplace, one of which is determining when employees may return to work after they have tested positive for the virus. Unfortunately, there have been mixed messages from
Reopening and Rehiring During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Critical Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Considerations
As many employers are on the way to normalizing their business practices and re-engaging their employees, they should not overlook the many potential pitfalls in the administration of their retirement, health and welfare plans and their executive compensation arrangements. The risks of missteps are high, and include loss of
The Post-COVID Office Workplace – The Office is here to Stay
When it comes to office space, some prognosticators sound like REM singing the song “It’s the End of the World as We Know it.”
CDC Withdraws Post-Travel Quarantine Recommendations
On August 21, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its COVID-19 travel guidelines, removing the blanket 14-day quarantine recommendation for travelers returning from all international destinations.
Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Authorized After CARES Act Supplement Expires
President Donald Trump has authorized the creation of the Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) Program to support individuals unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
First Major Court Decision in PPP Agent-Fee Litigation Deals a Victory to Lenders
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) agent-fee litigation is one of several emerging risks that the Jones Walker PPP Bank Litigation and Regulatory Task Force has been following since the implementation of the program. Very early on in the PPP loan process, our team saw that this area of litigation would be one that banks would face. Now, we are seeing the first major court decision on this issue, and it deals a victory to lenders.
Employers Reopened and Employees Returned to Work . . . Now What?
How Businesses Can Remain Open and Maintain Safe Operations While Reducing Exposure to Potential Claims: the Best Defense is a Broad-Based CDC Guideline-Focused Offense
The 2020-2021 Virtual School Year: 20 Tips for Employers of Parents During the Pandemic
How can employers assist working parents during the fall school year? This is one of the top questions on the minds of management and employees as the fall school year begins. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor, it is estimated that 41 percent of workers between the
Reimbursements and Remote Work 101
In March 2020, many employers suddenly found themselves managing a mostly remote workforce due to COVID-19. As the pandemic stretches on, some businesses remain remote because of necessity, while others are considering the many advantages of a remote workforce.
As employees continue teleworking, employers should familiarize themselves with the requirements
IRS Issues FAQs on Leave-Sharing Plans to Aid Employees Affected by COVID-19
On August 3, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) posted a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the tax treatment of leave-sharing plans maintained by an employer to help its COVID-19 affected employees.
Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Process Underway
Lenders began submitting their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness decisions to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on Monday, August 10. In its July 23 Procedural Notice, the SBA laid out instructions for lender submission of PPP loan forgiveness decisions to the SBA and SBA loan forgiveness reviews.
DHS Blocked From Enforcing New Public Charge Rule During COVID-19 Pandemic
On July 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an injunction immediately blocking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from enforcing the Trump administration’s new public charge rule during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plan Defends Valuation of Accounts in Midst of COVID-Related Market Volatility
A 401(k) plan and its administrators are defending the administrator’s decision to require a special valuation of former employees’ account values, given extraordinary market changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the terms of the plan at issue, when a former employee seeks a distribution of his or her plan