Documenting Requests for Paid Leave under FFCRA

On April 1st, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new rule that regulates the implementation of the  Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) and the paid leave under this new law that became available to employees starting on April 1st.  This new rule clarified what records employers can request from employees asking forRead More

Prepare for April 3rd: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Issues an Emergency Loan Guide for Small Businesses

Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce published an updated Coronavirus Emergency Loan Guide for small businesses and sole proprietors.  This is crucial because small businesses (less than 500 employees) can begin applying for payroll loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Paycheck Protection Program starting April 3rd. Independent contractors and otherRead More

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Mandatory Poster Just Released

The FFCRA goes into effect on April 1, 2020, and the Department of Labor (DOL) just issued a FFCRA poster (access it HERE) that employers are required to post in a conspicuous location.  This means that employers should probably e-mail out the PDF poster to ensure compliance with the law’s notice requirements.               Time forRead More

Employer Incentives Under the New Federal Coronavirus Response Act

 Last week, you probably felt inundated with COVID-19 information and updates.  Everything – and I mean everything – seems to be evolving rapidly.  On March 18, the President signed an emergency law (the “Family’s First Coronavirus Response Act”) to provide initial relief to workers in the wake of the pandemic. The law expands federal FMLARead More

Maine Passes Emergency Unemployment Insurance Bill: What Employers Need to Know About It

Yesterday, the Maine Legislature passed emergency legislation that was aimed, in part, at temporarily extending eligibility for unemployment benefits to workers that have been impacted by COVID-19.  The new law allows workers to become eligible for unemployment benefits immediately in situations that would not typically be covered.  Workers can now apply for and receive unemploymentRead More

What Employers Should Be Thinking About as Coronavirus Continues to Disrupt Our Lives and the Workplace

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) a “pandemic.”  Employers should mobilize and prepare now to ensure that they are equipped to handle the inevitable disruptions in the workplace that this relatively unprecedented pandemic may cause.  Here are some things you should be thinking about: Tough QuestionsRead More