Articles by Editorial Staff

November 9, 2020
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Department of Labor Issues Two Wage and Hour Letters

On November 3rd, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) released two opinion letters addressing Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) compliance. Opinion letters are official written opinions released by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The letters contain the WHD’s opinion on how the law applies in circumstances presented by the entity sending the request. Opinion Letter on Voluntary Training T...
November 5, 2020
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2021 Income Ranges for Retirement Contributions

On October 26th, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced specific cost-of-living adjustments for tax year 2021 contributions. This blog post covers the adjustments that affect dollar contribution limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items. All information is part of the latest IRS guidance Notice 2020-79. The release of Notice 2020-79 comes just weeks after the ...
November 4, 2020
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Flu Season Response Crucial for Workplace Wellness

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seasonal influenza (flu) viruses exist year-round in the U.S. Flu activity begins to increase, however, in October and peaks between December and February. As flu season approaches, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has released important information on various state responses to keep individuals healthy. Rec...
November 2, 2020
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EEOC Releases Final Rule on Issuing Guidance

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released a final rule that establishes procedural regulations for issuance of guidance. Released on October 30th, 2020, the rule provides clear procedures that will: make guidance documents readily available to the public; ensure that guidance is non-binding and does not overstep legal authority; require a notice and public ...
October 30, 2020
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CDC Updates Return-to-Work Guidance

On October 21st, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated previous guidance on returning to work. Specifically, the agency clarified what constitutes as “close contact” with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. “Close contact” is mainly used for purposes of isolation after initial contact. Previously, “close contact” was when someone was within 6 feet of...
October 28, 2020
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Updated Tool Helps With Health Plan Compliance

On October 23rd, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) announced a new employer resource. The resource is an updated tool to help employers comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). In addition to the MHPAEA, the tool also addresses compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ...
October 26, 2020
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NY Issues Guidance for Paid Sick Leave Law

As reported in September, New York State passed a paid sick leave law that went into effect September 30th, 2020. On October 20th, 2020, New York issued its first guidance on the New York State Sick Leave Law (NYSSLL). The release, titled “New York State Paid Sick Leave FAQ” (FAQ), appears on a new webpage dedicated to the law. The webpage also includes information on sick leave accruals, eligi...
October 23, 2020
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OSHA Issues $1M+ in COVID-19 Fines

Updated November 10th, 2020 On November 6th, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a total in proposed penalties for coronavirus violations. Since the start of the pandemic through October 29th, 2020, the agency has cited 179 establishments for related violations. These proposed penalties total $2,496,768. Overview of Violations OSHA inspections have resu...
October 19, 2020
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IRS Extends ACA Reporting Deadlines

On October 2nd, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an extension for providing forms 1095-C and 1095-B to employees. The required forms are part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and now carry a deadline of March 2nd, 2021. That date is a month later than the original deadline of January 31st, 2021. Additionally, the IRS extended "good-faith effort" transition relief to employers ...
October 14, 2020
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PPP Notice on Ownership & Eligibility Changes

Last Updated October 21st, 2020 Under new Small Business Administration (SBA) guidance, certain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers might face new requirements. Earlier this month, the SBA released a Procedural Notice (Notice) that provides information concerning changes of ownership transactions for entities that received PPP funding. Notably, the Notice addresses a change in owners...