FFCRA Questions Keep Coming
Though it seems that COVID-19 has been top of mind for such a long time, new questions and COVID-19 related scenarios in the workplace keep coming.
Learn MoreCategory: Federal Law Updates
This 2020 HR Checklist Helps End The Year In Compliance
See our updated HR Checklist HERE. Out with 2020, in with the new year. In many ways, the final weeks of the year can be a little less demanding for most employees—a season of office parties, celebratory staff lunches, and vacation time. However, it’s one of the busiest periods for HR professionals. Before we can […]
Learn MoreCalifornia Update on Family and Medical Leave
California Expands Family and Medical Leave Under the CFRA Effective Jan. 1, 2021, amendments to the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) expand the law’s leave requirements to cover employers with at least five employees, provide new grounds for leave and remove leave limits. Explaining the CFRA The CFRA provides 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave […]
Learn MoreVerification of I-9 extended into November for some
Remote Verification of Form I-9 Documents Extended to November 19 Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is allowing employers that are operating remotely to conduct a remote verification of approved Form I-9 documents. On Sept. 15, 2020, DHS extended yet again this exemption for an additional 60 days. […]
Learn MoreWhat Records To Keep – FFCRA
What records do I need to keep when my employee takes paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave? Regardless of whether you grant or deny a request for paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave, you must document the following: The name of your employee requesting leave; The date(s) for which […]
Learn MoreDOL Reveals Revised FMLA forms
The Department of Labor (DOL) revised Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) forms this summer. Extensive changes have been made that require more specific information in notices and medical certifications. The use of the forms is optional as many employers create their own. It is important to note that additional changes to the forms could be […]
Learn MoreNY Federal Court Partially Vacates FFCRA Leave Regulations
In a case brought by the New York attorney general, a New York federal district court has vacated portions of regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
Learn MoreNew Q&As on COVID-19 Workplace Laws
DOL Releases More Q&As on Workplace Laws and COVID-19 Pandemic On July 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the agency’s publication of additional guidance on applying federal employment laws in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance is in the form of questions and answers added to sets of Q&As the […]
Learn MoreCOVID-19: DOL Helpful FFCRA Tool
DOL Launches Employee Tool for Assessing FFCRA Leave Eligibility The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has created an online tool to help workers determine whether they qualify for paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The tool works by posing a series of questions that […]
Learn MoreDOL Revises the Fluctuating Workweek Overtime Method
On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that allows employers to pay bonuses or other incentive-based pay to salaried, nonexempt employees whose hours vary from week to week. The final rule clarifies that payments in addition to the fixed salary are compatible with the use of the fluctuating […]
Learn MoreNew Model COBRA Notice Released
Two New Model COBRA Notices Available from the Dept. of Labor The Department of Labor (DOL), through its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), has released updated versions of its model COBRA General Notice and model COBRA Election Notice, both with an expiration date of Jan. 31, 2023. To administer coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget […]
Learn MoreRinging in a New W-4 Form for 2020!
Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the IRS has released a new W-4 Form for 2020 called the “Employee’s Withholding Certificate.” Learn more about the changes with the form.
Learn MoreCalifornia’s New Worker Classification Law for January 2020
A new California state law, AB-5, becomes effective in January that clarifies if workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors. This classification will affect about 10% of the state’s workforce regarding wages and benefits.
Learn MoreNew DOL Overtime Law Ruling May Affect You
The new ruling, which goes into effect January 1, 2020, updates the earning thresholds that are required to exempt employees from overtime pay requirements.
Learn MoreI-9 Alert: ICE Performs Largest Single-state Immigration Raid in U.S. History
Are your I-9s in Order? You are likely aware of the largest single-state immigration raid in history that was performed on August 7, in Mississippi. This is further proof that employers hiring undocumented workers continues to be a hot topic. Worksite investigations focusing on I-9 enforcement increased 255% from FY 2017 to FY 2018. The […]
Learn MoreAffordable Care Act News Update
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard arguments on a lower court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act. Find out where the ACA currently stands and if your business needs to continue to comply with the law.
Learn MoreICHRA: New HRA Option Benefits Small to Medium Businesses
The ICHRA provides employers a way to offer health care benefits to employees that do not count toward their taxable wages. The option also provides smaller employers a way to offer insurance without the administrative burden of offering a traditional medical plan.
Learn MoreThe Legal Definition of a Joint Employer May Soon Change
The Department of Justice has proposed a new ruling affecting businesses who may be considered Joint Employers. Learn if your business may be affected.
Learn MoreWhat is the Status of the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act is being challenged in court. Are small to medium businesses still required to comply with the ACA? See the latest developments.
Learn MoreThe Shelby Report: Fed Proposes New Test To Clarify Definition Of Joint Employer
HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. If you’re involved in a franchise arrangement or use a staffing firm to hire seasonal or temporary workers, you’ll be interested in the proposal issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on April 1, to more clearly define joint employer status. […]
Learn MoreALERT: EEOC Pay Data Report: Component 2 Data Now Required for 2017 & 2018
Original Component 2 Required Only Calendar Year 2018 On May 2, 2019, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that qualified employers must now submit calendar year 2017 pay data, as well as 2018 data, for Component 2 of the EEO-1 Survey by the filing date of September 30, 2019. Component 2 includes hours worked, […]
Learn MoreALERT: U. S. Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on LGBT Workplace Discrimination
The US Supreme Court will hear arguments in late 2019 on whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 currently covers workplace discrimination based on LGBT identity. Learn what this may mean for employers.
Learn MoreEverything You Need to Know About the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The WOTC is a tax credit incentive offered by the government to incent employers to provide jobs to certain target groups, including U.S. Veterans.
Learn MoreProposed Overtime Ruling: What Business Owners Need to Know
The U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a new ruling last month that affects whether employees are deemed eligible for overtime or not. The DOL has estimated the change will make more than 1 million employees eligible for overtime that are currently defined as exempt. If the ruling passes, some of the more important […]
Learn MoreALERT: EEOC Pay Data Report: Controversy & Due Dates
First EEO-1 Form Due Date Approaching Qualified employers must submit 2018 information for “Component 1” of the EEO-1 Survey by May 31, 2019 on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website. This part of the report requests the number of employees a business has by job category, race, gender and ethnicity. Employers may submit their […]
Learn MoreState Minimum Wage Updates for 2019
Stay Compliant with Mandatory Labor Law Poster Updates Many states will adjust their minimum wage annually in an effort to keep pace with the increasing cost of living. The chart below indicates minimum wage rate changes by state from 2018 to 2019. Employers are required to abide by minimum wage laws as determined by the State […]
Learn MoreThe Shelby Report: 3 Key Federal Labor Laws For 2019 Highlighted
HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. Grocers across the nation have many state and federal laws to keep up with throughout the year, and in 2019, they will need to ensure they stay diligent in their compliance with current laws and aware of those that are […]
Learn MoreU. S. Department of Labor Proposes New Federal Overtime Rule
Pending Regulation Would Make More Americans Eligible for Overtime Pay After months of speculation, the U. S. DOL has proposed an increase of the threshold for employees who are eligible for overtime pay. Currently, the Fair Standards Labor Act (FSLA) states that salaried employees, such as managers and other specialized employees, are exempt from being […]
Learn MoreThe Shelby Report: Feds Step Up I-9 Audits – Be Ready
HR & Benefits News: Feds Step Up I-9 Audits – Be Ready Editor’s note: HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. It’s The Law “All U.S. Employers must ensure proper completion of Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and […]
Learn MoreE-Verify Rules and Responsibilities
There are strict rules about how and when to use E-Verify, the federal web-based program that confirms the eligibility of employees to work in the US.
Learn MoreIRS.GOV: Tax Credit Can Help Employers Hiring New Workers; Key Certification Requirement Applies
IR-2018-113, May 4, 2018 WASHINGTON — With many businesses facing a tight job market, the Internal Revenue Service reminds employers to check out a valuable tax credit available to them for hiring long-term unemployment recipients and other categories of workers with employment barriers. During National Small Business Week — April 29 to May 5 — […]
Learn MoreWhat Does the Elimination of the Individual Mandate Penalty Mean for Employers?
Currently, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires individuals to be covered under a health plan that provides at least Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC). This is commonly referred to as the Individual Mandate. If an individual fails to maintain coverage that meets the MEC requirement, they are subject to a penalty. Under the new proposed tax […]
Learn MorePresident Signs Executive Order in Attempt to Weaken Affordable Care Act
The President signed an Executive Order with the intent to bring sweeping changes to the health insurance industry. The Executive Order focuses on three primary areas: Expanding Association Health Plans (AHP) Within 60 days from the date of the Executive Order, the Secretary of Labor shall consider proposing regulations or revising guidance to expand access to AHPs. […]
Learn MoreThe Shelby Report: Employee Retention Credit Available for Storm-Affected Businesses
MyHRConcierge Co-Founder Chris Cooley was recently quoted for an article regarding the Employee Retention Credit Available For Storm-Affected Businesses.
Learn MoreNinth Circuit Court Nixes Background Check Liability Waivers
The Ninth Circuit Court has ruled liability waivers on an employee’s background check Disclosure and Authorization forms a violation of the FCRA. Is your Disclosure and Authorization form out of compliance?
Learn MoreNew Employer Credit for Hurricane Affected Areas
Employers who are victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria may qualify for a new tax credit that pays for retaining employees while inoperable.
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