Author Archives for michael
June 4, 2020 1:58 pm
Published by michael
For many companies who received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, unexpected problems arose alongside the payroll issues the PPP was designed to help solve. PPP provides forgivable loans to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (for background information, see our blogs about PPP here, here, here, and here). As the program nears the end of the covered period on June 30, however, it has become clear that borrowers are facing unintended complications.
June 2, 2020 1:43 pm
Published by michael
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidelines for reopening businesses, schools, day camps, health care facilities, mass transit, child care, and other industries.
The following is a snippet of a few topics addressed in the newly released guidance.
June 1, 2020 8:53 pm
Published by michael
One question we’ve been asked many times by our clients is can my company require employees to wear facemasks on... Read More
May 26, 2020 1:29 pm
Published by michael
While this week’s tip of the week could easily take up an entire blog post or even an all-day seminar,... Read More
May 19, 2020 6:23 pm
Published by michael
May 19, 2020 3:04 pm
Published by michael
By now, you’re likely familiar with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides forgivable loans to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (for background information, see our blogs about PPP here, here, and here). As many business come to the end of their 8-week covered loan period, the SBA released a loan forgiveness application and instructions.
May 19, 2020 2:28 pm
Published by michael
May 18, 2020 10:01 pm
Published by michael
As businesses continue bringing employees back into the workplace, many HR professionals are wondering exactly what kinds of questions they... Read More
May 18, 2020 6:53 pm
Published by michael
As more states lift stay-at-home orders and give employers the green light to bring workers back on site, one thing employers need to be on the lookout for is an increase in workers’ compensation claims. Workers’ compensation statutes are no-fault, meaning that employees do not need to prove negligence on the part of the employer to establish liability. It also means the employer cannot use negligence on the part of the employee as a defense to a claim. In practice, then, employees who are injured or become ill on the job are entitled to benefits like wage replacement and medical expenses, and employer liability is limited, in most circumstances, to only those benefits available through workers’ compensation.
May 12, 2020 2:17 pm
Published by michael
Does your business have a written plan in place for getting back to business once states start reopening after COVID-19... Read More
May 12, 2020 1:45 pm
Published by michael
As stay-at-home orders expire and restrictions loosen, many employers are thinking ahead to their reopening phase. Organizations are generally encouraged... Read More
May 5, 2020 3:36 pm
Published by michael
Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to change an employee’s schedule, hours, pay or benefits and... Read More
May 4, 2020 10:07 pm
Published by michael
The Federal Reserve has announced that it is establishing a Main Street Lending Program (Program) to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but who may have been unable to access the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or who require additional financial support after receiving a PPP loan. Unlike PPP loans, Main Street loans are not forgivable.
May 1, 2020 3:26 pm
Published by michael
Note: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act expired on December 31, 2020. On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed a... Read More
April 30, 2020 1:10 pm
Published by michael
Employees who are requesting leave under the FFCRA either for the Expanded Family and Medical Leave or Emergency Paid Sick... Read More
April 29, 2020 1:44 pm
Published by michael
An F1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals who wish to pursue an education in the US. Every noncitizen who enters the US to attend school (from elementary school to post-graduate college) must apply for an F1 visa. To obtain an F1 visa, students must be able to show admission to a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, official residency in a foreign country and intentions to return home, and sufficient financial support to remain in the US during their studies.
April 25, 2020 1:35 pm
Published by michael
On April 24, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (the “Act”) into law. Among other things, the Act allocates over $300 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), including $60 billion specifically set aside for loans made by community-based banks and smaller lenders. The Act also increases Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program appropriations by $50 billion, and EIDL grant program funds by $10 billion.
April 21, 2020 12:52 pm
Published by michael
We know that for many states and cities, companies are still in the throes of furloughs, layoffs, RIFs and other... Read More
April 13, 2020 9:44 pm
Published by michael
For those employers who are operating a remote workforce and taking physical proximity precautions due to COVID-19, the Department of... Read More
April 13, 2020 7:40 pm
Published by michael
The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related business closures and/or slowdown has been devastating for many. Employers are forced to cut costs, and many are considering reductions in hours, wages, and salaries to remain afloat. While this is a reasonable measure to minimize business interruptions and to keep as many employees on payroll as possible, employers should carefully implement wage, salary, and hour reductions to maintain legal compliance. The following provides general, federal guidance on these cost-cutting options, but employers should note that certain workers may be subject to additional laws (for instance those working on employment-based immigrant visas), and some states and local jurisdictions have stricter laws and regulations with which to comply.
