Articles by Editorial Staff

OSHA Submits Vaccine Emergency Temporary Standard to White House

October 19, 2021

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently drafted a vaccine emergency temporary standard (ETS) and submitted it for approval. Accordingly, on October 12th, 2021, the agency delivered the ETS to the White House’s regulatory office. As mandated by President Joseph Biden’s recent six-pronged strategy to combat COVID-19, OSHA created the new emergency temporary standard. B...

COVID-19 Federal Contracts and Subcontracts

Federal Contracts to Include COVID-19-Related Contractor Clause

October 19, 2021

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On October 1st, 2021, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council released a draft COVID-19-related contractor clause for covered contracts and subcontracts. Basically, the clause followed the release of President Joseph Biden’s Executive Order 14042. Overall, the Order ensures that parties who contract with the federal government provide adequate COVID-19 safeguards to their workers. Earl...

DOL Proposes Rule to Consider New Factors in Benefits Plan Management

October 18, 2021

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On October 13th, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed benefits plan management rule. Generally, the rule would remove barriers to specific plan fiduciaries’ abilities. For instance, now considering climate change and other environmental, social, and governance factors when selecting investments and exercising shareholder rights. Earlier, in August 2021, the Internal Rev...

October 12, 2021

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DOL Cites Employer for COVID-19 Exposure

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced levying citations on a business for purposely allowing COVID-19 exposure. In summary, a federal workplace health investigation found that an auto insurance company ignored coronavirus safety requirements. Subsequently, it permitted individuals displaying symptoms to work at the exact location where an employee previously died of COVID-19. Since t...

Notice Clarifies COBRA Coverage Deadlines

October 11, 2021

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On October 7th, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance relating to COBRA continuation coverage deadlines. Also written by the Department of Treasury, Notice 2021-58 clarifies current COBRA coverage deadlines in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services will also follow the new guidance. Previously, in May 20...

Frequently Asked Questions on Affordable Care Act Implementation Released

October 11, 2021

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including any Affordable Care Act implementation processes. In summary, the ACA is a 2010 comprehensive health care reform law designed to extend health coverage to Americans. Accordingly, the ACA includes premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions to help lower expenses for lower-income individuals ...

Federal Agency Issues Guidance on HIPAA and COVID-19

October 5, 2021

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On September 30, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on the connection between HIPAA and COVID-19. In summary, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patient health information from disclosure without prior consent. Chiefly, the guidance addresses when HIPAA applies to disclosures and requests for information about a person receivi...

FBI and Cybersecurity Agency Warn of Increased Ransomware Cyberattacks

October 4, 2021

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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently observed increases in ransomware cyberattacks. Indeed, in Alert AA21-265A, the agencies note the use of Conti ransomware in over 400 attacks on various global organizations. By and large, in Conti ransomware cyberattacks, malicious entities steal files, encrypt servers and workstat...

IRS Updates Benefit Plan Correction Guidance

October 4, 2021

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On August 25th, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released updated guidance for employers on correcting benefit plan mistakes. In general, Revenue Procedure 2021-30 updates the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS). Chiefly, if an administrator makes a mistake in a retirement plan, the EPCRS can fix the error, avoiding plan disqualification. Earlier, in July 2021, the IRS r...

DOL Relies on Court Decision to Address ERISA’s Statute of Limitations

September 28, 2021

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Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), an investigation into possible violations must follow ERISA’s statute of limitations. In general, ERISA sets standards for established retirement and health plans in private industry. In effect, these standards protect individuals enrolled in these plans. Given that, rules allow the Department of Labor (DOL) to file suit against entitie...

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Practical articles on HR, Safety, compliance, and people operations—written for real businesses, not legal textbooks.

Latest EEOC Enforcement Data Shows Increased Pre-Litigation Activity

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released its FY 2025 performance and enforcement results. In a news release dated April 6th, 2026, the agency reported increased monetary recoveries for victims of employment discrimination and increased enforcement activity overall....

EEOC Pens Letter to Companies Regarding Title VII Compliance and DEI Initiatives

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued a letter to 500 of the largest employers in the United States regarding Title VII compliance and potentially "illegal" DEI initiatives. Notably, the document was drafted for the chief executive officers, general counsel, and board...

NLRB Officially Reinstates Previous 2020 Joint Employer Standard

On February 26th, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) officially reinstated its 2020 Joint Employer standard. Specifically, to do so, the agency needed to formally withdraw a 2023 Joint Employer standard. That final rule was to go into effect on February 26th, 2024.

OSHA Releases New Job Safety and Health Workplace Poster

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new workplace job safety and health notice. Specifically, the OSHA Cares Job Safety and Health poster informs workers about their rights under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. Per OSHA’s poster page, employers do...

Agency Releases Newly Proposed Independent Contractor Status Rule; Seeks Employer Comments

On February 26th, 2026, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule designed to help determine independent contractor status. Overall, the new independent contractor rule would help employers better understand when a worker is an employee. Conversely, the rule will allow employers to...

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Articles by Editorial Staff