In our March 27 E-lert, we explained important provisions of the CARES Act. One of them provides small businesses and nonprofits with forgivable loans to fund payroll and other costs incurred between February 15 and June 30, 2020 as an incentive to keep employees on the payroll. Under the “Paycheck Protection Program” the federal government will essentially give an employer 2.5 times its monthly payroll, to use for paying wages, rent, mortgage interest and utilities.
Continue Reading To Avoid Job and Wage Cuts CARES Act Funds Payrolls
DOL Explains Small Business, Healthcare Provider and Emergency Responder Exemptions to Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and Many Other Things
The U.S. Department of Labor updated its Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers on Saturday, March 28, 2020 to provide guidance on a number of key issues, including the exemptions to the paid leave mandates under the FFCRA for small businesses,
healthcare providers, and emergency responders.
Continue Reading DOL Explains Small Business, Healthcare Provider and Emergency Responder Exemptions to Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and Many Other Things
Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Becomes Law
On March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion bill that contains provisions that will provide relief to businesses and individuals negatively impacted by the recent pandemic.
Continue Reading Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Becomes Law
DOL Answers More Burning Questions and Provides a Poster About Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On March 26, 2020, the Department of Labor updated its Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers to provide more guidance about the paid sick leave and expanded Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The DOL addressed a number of open issues of significant interest to employers. Additionally, as we mentioned in our March 26, 2020 E-lert, the DOL released the mandatory notice, and it has now followed up with guidance on its posting and distribution.
Continue Reading DOL Answers More Burning Questions and Provides a Poster About Families First Coronavirus Response Act
DOL Provides Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The Department of Labor has issued several resources on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: a fact sheet for employers, a fact sheet for employees and a Questions and Answers resource. In particular, the last of these resources answers many, although certainly not all, of the multitude of questions that have arisen in the wake of the enactment of the FFCRA and its paid sick leave and expanded Family and Medical Leave Act requirements, which we discussed in our March 19, 2020 E-Lert.
Continue Reading DOL Provides Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Is Your Business “Essential”? More Guidance From Governor Hogan’s Office
As Maryland businesses know, Governor Hogan signed an Executive Order closing all non-essential businesses to the general public at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2020. His office has since provided three separate Interpretive Guidance memos, listing the types of businesses deemed essential. The latest Guidance also provides further information regarding what actions non-essential businesses can continue to engage in, as well as how to determine whether a business is essential or not.
Continue Reading Is Your Business “Essential”? More Guidance From Governor Hogan’s Office
Additional Guidance On Governor Hogan’s Shutdown Order
At 5:00 p.m. yesterday, March 23, 2020, Maryland Governor Hogan’s Executive Order closing all non-essential businesses to the general public took effect. The language of the Order was definitive, but the practical impact on businesses less so.
Continue Reading Additional Guidance On Governor Hogan’s Shutdown Order
Maryland Orders Closure of Non-Essential Business To The Public
Today, Governor Hogan announced an Executive Order, Number 20-03-23-01, closing all non-essential businesses to the general public at 5 p.m. today. Although this is not a “shelter-in-place” directive, Marylanders are urged to stay home. This directive does close retail establishments that were previously permitted to remain open under earlier executive orders.
Continue Reading Maryland Orders Closure of Non-Essential Business To The Public
EEOC Declares COVID-19 a “Direct Threat,” Updates 2009 Pandemic Guidance
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has declared it a “direct threat,” thereby loosening the restrictions on employee medical testing and inquiries under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It has updated its 2009 pandemic guidance and its “What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19” resource accordingly.
Continue Reading EEOC Declares COVID-19 a “Direct Threat,” Updates 2009 Pandemic Guidance
Love you!!
Employment lawyers on the management side of the “v” (as in verses for you lucky enough never to have been sued) are hunkered down with our clients on the phone these days. We are figuring out minute by minute how to foretell the COVID-19 future, to determine what the feds will require, what the governors will mandate, and how to balance operational needs, financial insecurity, employee fear, leave from work and needs of clients for services, including vulnerable clients (patients, individuals who need medical equipment after discharge, patrons who need food and prescriptions – all the vital services that we assume are available and that businesses seamlessly provide in normal times).
Continue Reading Love you!!