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
Articles Discussing Workplace Issues Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Executive Memorandum Permits Individuals to Defer Certain Payroll Tax Obligations
On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued a memorandum with the stated purpose of providing “further temporary relief … to support working Americans” by enabling the deferral of employee Social Security taxes for specific individuals.
‘Lost Wages Assistance’ Program to Boost Unemployment Insurance Benefits
On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum, which establishes a “lost wages assistance program” to help workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by dipping into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).
New DIR Guidance for Safe Reopening
At the end of July, the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) released guidance to assist with the safe reopening of businesses in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance covers the following topics:
Employer Obligations to Keep the Workplace and Employees Safe Face Coverings Medical Checks Returning to
What It Means: President Trump’s Executive Order on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations
On August 8, 2020, President Donald Trump issued the Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster (Executive Order).
Handling Retail Customers Who Refuse to Wear a Mask
Many jurisdictions require individuals to wear face coverings in public spaces, including in retail businesses, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
White House Takes Executive Action on Unemployment Insurance, Payroll Taxes
On August 8, 2020, the president signed several executive memoranda and an order addressing the continued economic havoc of the COVID-19 pandemic, two of which are of direct interest to employers.
Payroll Tax Deferral
The SBA Issues Updated PPP Loan Forgiveness FAQs
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued a new set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to issues borrowers are facing as they apply for loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Most notably, the FAQs aid borrowers in […]
Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Process Set to Begin August 10
On Monday, August 10, 2020, lenders may begin submitting their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness decisions to the Small Business Administration (SBA). 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.
CDC Issues COVID-19 Communication Plan for Critical Infrastructure Employers
On August 4, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a communication plan titled “COVID-19 Communication Plan for Select Non-healthcare Critical Infrastructure Employers.” The purpose of the plan is to outline actions certain critical infrastructure employers may consider to disseminate COVID-19 messages with employees more effectively.
COVID-19 Orders Upon Orders—What Does It All Mean for St. Louis County Businesses?
Since March 2020, St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, and the county’s acting director of the Department of Public Health (DPH), Dr. Emily Doucette, have issued more than 20 orders and “safe operating guidelines” regarding COVID-19. On July 29, 2020, with an effective date of July 31, 2020, the
National Biometric Information Privacy Act, Proposed by Sens. Jeff Merkley and Bernie Sanders
Whether it is facial recognition technology being used in connection with COVID-19 screening tools and in law enforcement, continued use of fingerprint-based time management systems, or the use of various biometric identifiers for physical security and access management, applications involving biometric identifiers and information in the public and private sectors
School’s Out for … Fall? Managing Employees’ Need to Care for Children When School Is Virtual
In March 2020, everyone thought we just need to occupy our children at home for a few weeks, maybe through spring break, and we would be fine. Then it was “just make it to summer.” Now summer is winding down and many kids are not going back to school full-time
EEOC to Resume Dismissing Charges of Discrimination Following Suspension due to COVID-19 Pandemic
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on August 3, 2020, that it will begin dismissing charges that were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Court Rules with New York: DOL “Jumped the Rail” in Restricting Pandemic Paid Leave
In a decision with far-reaching implications, U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York sided with the State of New York in striking down a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Final Rule limiting the circumstances under which employees can gain access to sick leave and emergency family leave benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.