On January 13, 2022, the United States Supreme Court blocked the OSHA ETS rule, which mandated private employers with at least 100 employees require their employees to be fully vaccinated or submit to a weekly COVID test and wear face masks. Six of the Court’s nine justices held that the ETS constituted an attempt by OSHA to regulate general...
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) significantly impacts employers who have terminated an employee or reduced the hours of any employee. As of April 1st, 100% of premiums for COBRA or state continuation coverage must be paid by the employer. This is a federally supported subsidy. The federal government will reimburse employers dollar for dollar...
Note: This client update is based on the stimulus bill passed by Congress and sent to the President for signature earlier this week. This bill is not law until the President signs the legislation, and recent news reports suggest that President Trump finds some portions of the stimulus bill objectionable. We will continue to monitor the status of...
"Do as adversaries do in law, strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends." William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, Act I, sc. 2 In the aftermath of the historic and divisive election, many of us welcome an end to the besiegement of ads, media commentaries, Facebook and Twitter postings, etc. that are not only uncivil, but in many cases...
Wisconsin Employers mark your calendar. As of November 2, 2020, all employers covered by Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) law must provide employees with written notice regarding the availability of UI benefits upon a change in employment status. The new requirement applies when work hours are reduced, layoff, furlough, or separation –...
By: Anne V. O'Meara, Laurie E. Meyer, and Anthony J. Steffek On September 11, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) released its second interpretation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The new DOL rule, which took effect on September 16, revised the original rule’s definition of “health care provider” to provide up to twelve...
On May 15, 2020, the SBA and the Treasury Department released the long-awaited Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application and detailed instructions. They also announced that additional regulations and guidance would soon issue to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to assist lenders with their...
By: Bruce B. Deadman Some media outlets, commentators and business organizations have expressed concern that as they return employees to work, employers may have potential liability on a variety of fronts. This came true for employers who have “first responders” in an important provision of the coronavirus relief package signed into law by...
By: Bruce B. Deadman and Laurie E. Meyer Yesterday the IRS took two actions which have an immediate impact on employers regarding what documentation they must keep in order to get a refundable tax credit for their employees’ paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and how businesses may qualify for a tax credit of up...
By: Mark G. Kmiecik and James M. Kalny The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“Act”) provides two new refundable payroll tax credits (“tax credits”) for employers providing paid emergency sick leave or paid FMLA, including tax relief for self-employed individuals. As written, however, the Act is not practical as to these tax credits, since...
