Almost a year into the pandemic, a question that plagues the minds of many employers is how to reintegrate employees who have been exposed to COVID-19, while simultaneously safeguarding the wellbeing of coworkers and clients. The debate centers around whether employers can require employees to provide a negative COVID-19
Articles About Puerto Rico Labor And Employment Law
Puerto Rico: Pandemic Assistance Packages and their Effect on Christmas Bonus Exemption for Private Employers
On November 16, 2020, the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources (“PR DOL”) issued Circular Letter No. 2020-05, discussing considerations for private sector employers when requesting an exemption from paying the Christmas Bonus to their employees where the employer received COVID-19-related economic assistance.
Puerto Rico–Qualified Retirement Plans: 2020 Year-End Amendments Deadline Coming Soon
All of the recent changes to the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules of Section 401(a)(9) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, except for provisions related to the handling of tax-free rollovers, may be applied to Puerto Rico participants in dual-qualified plans (i.e., U.S.-qualified retirement plans that cover both U.S. and
Puerto Rico Health Department Adopts Additional Measures to Manage COVID-19 Pandemic
Additional measures adopted by the Puerto Rico Department of Health to manage the COVID-19 pandemic include administrative fines for noncompliance.
New Puerto Rico COVID-19 Order Mandates Health Department Reporting, Sunday Closing
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez has signed Executive Order 2020-062 (EO) to extend most of the prior COVID-19 pandemic limitations and restrictions, institute important additional restrictions, set a mandatory Sunday lockdown, and require employers to notify the Puerto Rico Department of Health by email of any employee who is suspected of having COVID-19 or who has tested positive to COVID-19. The EO will be in effect from August 22, 2020, to September 11, 2020.
Puerto Rico Working Mothers Act Amended to Provide Additional Adoption Leave for Working Mothers
On August 8, 2020, Wanda Vázquez Garced signed into law an amendment to the Puerto Rico Working Mothers Act. Under the amendment, adoption leave benefits were extended to female employees adopting minors 6 years old or older. Now, these adopting mothers will have a paid leave of 5 weeks. The
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico Rules “Ex-Offender” is not a Protected Category
Article II, Section 1, of the Puerto Rico Constitution’s Bill of Rights prohibits “discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, birth, origin or social status, or political or religious ideas.” In Garib Bazain v.
Puerto Rico’s New Electoral Code Creates Two Hours of Paid Voting Leave
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez recently signed into law Puerto Rico’s new Electoral Code, Act No. 58 of June 20, 2020 (Act No. 54-2020). The Electoral Code includes noteworthy changes to employees’ voting rights.
Puerto Rico Enacts Law Extending Maternity Leave to Mothers Adopting Children Ages Six and Older
On August 8, 2020, Puerto Rico Governor Hon. Wanda Vázquez Garced signed into law House Bill No. 2424 (“Bill No. 2424”), to amend the Puerto Rico Working Mothers Protection Act, otherwise known as Act 3 of March 13, 1942 (“Act No. 3-1942”). The purpose of Bill No. 2424 is
Puerto Rico Becomes First Jurisdiction to Adopt Law Against Workplace Bullying
In an unprecedented move and without taking into consideration the mass opposition from the private sector, on August 7, 2020, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law House Bill 306 to prohibit workplace bullying. This law goes into effect immediately.
Puerto Rico Enacts Law on Workplace Harassment
On August 7, 2020, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Wanda Vázquez Garced, signed into law the “Act to Prohibit and Prevent Workplace Harassment in Puerto Rico,” previously known as House Bill No. 306. The primary purpose of the Act is to prohibit and prevent abusive conduct against employees
Puerto Rico’s Anti-Bullying Bill Closer to Enactment
Puerto Rico may become the first jurisdiction to adopt law against workplace bullying.
Littler Global Guide – Puerto Rico – Q2 2020
Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.
How Recent Changes to RMD Rules Apply to Puerto Rico Participants in Dual-Qualified Plans
All of the recent changes to the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules of Section 401(a)(9) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, except for provisions related to the handling of tax-free rollovers, may be applied to Puerto Rico participants in dual-qualified plans (i.e., U.S.-qualified retirement plans that cover both U.S. and
Puerto Rico State Insurance Corporation Issues 2020-2121 Risk Classification Manual with Important Modifications
On July 1, 2020, the Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund Corporation (“SIF”) announced the automatic extension of the deadline for employers to file the Payroll Statement for fiscal year 2020-2021, from July 20 to August 4, 2020. The SIF is the government agency that provides workers’ compensation benefits in
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