Articles by PC Editorial Staff

January 11, 2022
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Supreme Court Might Block Vaccine-or-Test ETS, Allow CMS Mandate

The U.S. Supreme Court (the Court) heard oral arguments on January 7th, 2022, regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) vaccine-or-test standard and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’s (CMS's) vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Presently, the Court has not made a final ruling regarding either mandate. On the whole, however, justices appeared skepti...
January 11, 2022
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EEOC Will Discontinue EEO-1 Type 6 Establishment List Reports

On January 6th, 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced they will discontinue EEO-1 Type 6 Establishment List Reports. Specifically, the discontinued items affect employee data reporting for establishments with less than 50 employees. Indeed, the announcement follows the agency’s efforts to modernize EEO data collections by improving the quality of collected data...
Sixth Circuit Upholds Injunction on Federal Contactor Vaccine Mandate-1-11-22

Sixth Circuit Upholds Injunction on Federal Contactor Vaccine Mandate

January 11, 2022
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In a January 5th, 2022, hearing, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (the Court) upheld the previous injunction on the federal contractor vaccine mandate. Generally, that mandate would require the vaccination of employees of federal contractors for COVID-19. Essentially, the Court’s decision agrees with the Eleventh Circuit Court’s refusal to stay Judge Van Tatenhove’s inju...
January 6, 2022
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U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear Arguments on OSHA’s ETS, CMS Vaccine Mandate

Starting January 7th, 2022, The U.S. Supreme Court (Court) will hear arguments on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) COVID-19 vaccine Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). In addition, the Court will listen to arguments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate. Previously, the Sixth Circuit Court had lifted the stay on the ETS.  Overview o...
January 6, 2022
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DOL Announces Policy on Group Health Plan Disclosure Requirements

On December 30th, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced an enforcement policy regarding group health plan disclosure requirements. Specifically, the policy pertains to required fee transparency disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) released Field Assistance Bulletin 2021-03 which highlights t...
Labor Department Releases Informational Copies of 2021 Form 5500-1-6-22

Labor Department Releases Informational Copies of 2021 Form 5500

January 6, 2022
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On December 29th, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released informational copies of 2021 Form 5500 Annual Return/Report. This release includes Form 5500-SF. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the 2021 Form 5500-EZ and instructions. Specifically, Form 5500 satisfies the requirement of pension and welfare benefit plans to fill an annual return/report regarding their ...
December 29, 2021
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CDC Shortens Isolation & Quarantine

On December 27th, 2021, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released emergency guidance that shortens the isolation and quarantine period for people with COVID-19. The changes came in response to current knowledge of the coronavirus, specifically the Omicron variant's behavior. Consequently, employers may choose to update their COVID-19 workplace policy to reflect the CDC’s cha...
New CDC Guidance Shortens Isolation and Quarantine Period-12-29-21

The 8 Most Critical Steps in a Workplace Harassment Investigation

December 29, 2021
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How well an employer conducts a workplace harassment investigation can impact an employee’s confidence in reporting such incidents. Additionally, it can affect confidence in the workplace, as well as their overall mental health. Moreover, a 2019 survey by HR Acuity found that 85% of workers surveyed expressed reserve about reporting incidents. Specifically, respondents lacked confidence that wo...
Sixth Circuit Lifts Stay on OSHA’s Vaccination and Testing Standard-12-20-21

Sixth Circuit Lifts Stay on OSHA’s Vaccination and Testing Standard

December 21, 2021
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On December 17th, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit lifted the stay on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccination and testing standard. Effectively, the decision allows OSHA to reimplement the emergency temporary standard (ETS). In brief, covered employers may choose to ensure that employees are vaccinated against the coronavirus or under...
ICE Extends Form I-9 Compliance Flexibility-12-22-21

ICE Extends Form I-9 Compliance Flexibility

December 21, 2021
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On December 15th, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) extended its Form I-9 compliance flexibility first granted last year. The announcement follows the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) continued precautions related to COVID-19. Specifically, this flexibility affects rules requiring physical document inspections. Namely, it relates to workers hired on or after April 1st,...