California Law to Require Pay Transparency Beginning in 2023 California Gov. Gavin Newsome recently signed a pay transparency law that requires covered employers to disclose pay scale information to job applicants and current employees starting next year. According to the governor’s office, it also expands employer salary reporting requirements in an attempt to better identify pay disparities based […]
Learn MoreIt’s the end of the year… How can I stay on track with compliance? It seems that there are constantly moving targets when it comes to HR compliance. So how are you supposed to keep track? Here’s a quick reminder of important things that should be done in the fall to keep you on track with […]
Learn MoreInflation Will Result in Higher Minimum Wages Next Year Minimum wages in seven states will rise in January 2023 based on the 8.3 percent increase in inflation over the past year, as reported Sept. 13 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in its consumer price index (CPI). Affected States The seven states that will […]
Learn MoreLong COVID-19 Is Keeping Up to 4 Million Workers Out of Labor Market Long COVID-19—long-term effects stemming from COVID-19 infection—continues to impact the labor market and the health of employees. The U.S. Census Bureau’s June to July 2022 Household Pulse Survey found that 16.3 million working-age Americans currently have long COVID. It has been reported […]
Learn MoreCommon Form I-9 Mistakes to Avoid Despite employers’ best efforts, complying with Form I-9 requirements can be difficult. Unfortunately, many employers leave their organizations’ Form I-9 operations to untrained staff or fail to dedicate sufficient time and resources to the process, resulting in numerous errors and untimely completion of Form I-9 tasks. Even small errors […]
Learn MoreAccording to Ernst & Young’s Global Payroll Survey, keeping up with regulatory compliance changes was identified as the second-highest compliance challenge. But as your business grows, those compliance concerns you have today don’t go away — most often, they will multiply. Some of the biggest areas employers lose sight of as they grow include compliance with benefits […]
Learn MoreDownload This Form I-9 Checklist Federal law requires employers to hire only individuals who may legally work in the United States—either U.S. citizens or authorized foreign nationals. To comply with the law, employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of each individual they hire by completing and retaining the Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form […]
Learn MoreThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have recently proposed a permanent rule to allow employers to remotely review the Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form I-9) identity and employment authorization documents when hiring, reverifying or rehiring employees. In light of technological advances and new work arrangements—like remote work—the DHS is exploring […]
Learn MoreDo I Really Need To Pay For A County Or State-level Criminal Search? Though a multi-jurisdictional search (MJD) sounds impressive, it is not as thorough as it seems. This search is often represented as being a comprehensive search. The fact is, the multi-jurisdictional database search does have limitations, the most important of which is incomplete data (not all […]
Learn MoreOn Aug. 1, 2022, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2022-34 to index the contribution percentages in 2023 for determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2023, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage does not exceed: 9.12% […]
Learn MoreDiversity, Equity And Inclusion Are “Buzzing” Around The Workplace. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a lot more than the newest buzzword in HR. It’s a critical element to success these days. Calls for diverse and inclusive workplaces are now becoming more common in many organizations due to major social changes. According to a 2019 […]
Learn MoreOn July 25, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule that would revise existing regulations for the Section 1557 nondiscrimination protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The proposed rule is intended to solidify protections against discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity. About the ACA […]
Learn MoreEarly open enrollment prep can be an opportunity for retention by putting employee needs first. The job market is still dealing with the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers are taking stock of their circumstances and considering which employment perks matter the most. Specifically, employees are increasingly more concerned about their physical and mental health, […]
Learn MoreHiring Across State Lines Means Multi-State Compliance These days as an employer, hiring looks different. The world is your oyster, meaning the recruitment pool is nationwide. We are no longer limited by location to find the talent that can help our business to become more successful. However, hiring in a post-pandemic world has many pros […]
Learn MoreAs of July 12, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its Technical Assistance Questions and Answers on COVID-19 testing and vaccine in the workplace. Employers now need to show that mandatory COVID-19 testing of employees is job-related and consistent with business necessity, as defined by the ADA. In determining whether a mandatory testing measure meets […]
Learn MoreEmployers are seeing an increase in lawsuits from former employees alleging deficient Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) election notices. These lawsuits are generally class actions and can result in significant attorneys’ fee awards for successful ex-employees. Strategies to eliminate this problem can be found here.
Learn MoreForm 5500 Is Due By Aug. 1, 2022 For Calendar Year Plans. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the IRS and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. previously announced changes to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan and Form 5500-SF Short Form Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan, and related instructions, […]
Learn MoreDHS to Propose Permanent Remote Form I-9 Verification Rule The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced it plans to issue a proposed rule that would allow employers to verify employee identity and employment eligibility documentation virtually “in certain circumstances or with respect to certain employers” when completing Form I-9 verification requirements. Virtual verification may […]
Learn MoreEvery business and HR pro knows that the competition for top talent is tough. We’ve discovered a strategy that helps the whole employee, mentally and also professionally. We’ve discovered something that will make employees really want to stay long-term. People want to work for companies that are invested in their growth and development as human […]
Learn MoreIn its recent spring regulatory agenda, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its plans to issue a proposed overtime rule in October 2022. According to the agency’s regulatory agenda, this proposed rule is expected to address how to implement the exemption of executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) […]
Learn MoreWhile we recognize that COVID case numbers are down, researchers are just now to find out what COVID’s long-term mental health effects will be. Though this is information that will continue to change within our working landscape, employee well-being is more important than ever and we can address some areas right now in the workplace. The following […]
Learn MoreFBI Fingerprints Aren’t As Accurate As You Think Many industries like healthcare, childcare, finance, and other safety-sensitive positions are required by law to do a fingerprint-based background check. However, you should not ONLY rely on fingerprint background checks. This can give employers a false sense of security because the bulk of the information can often […]
Learn MorePCORI Fees Due Aug. 1, 2022 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors to pay Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute fees (PCORI fees). The fees are reported and paid annually using IRS Form 720 (Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return). Issuers and plan sponsors are generally required to pay the PCORI fees annually […]
Learn MoreThe Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released new resources on workers’ rights to leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for mental health conditions. In a press release, the DOL said the publication of the new guidance was in recognition of Mental Health Awareness month. […]
Learn MoreDon’t cut corners and skip employee background screening for seasonal and summer employees, even if you need to urgently fill a position.
Learn MoreHow Do We Solve This Healthcare Shortage With Our Next Hire? Read how your business can avoid more turnover at a time of need. As U.S. hospitals and clinics deal with more patients, both COVID-19 and non-COVID, many are facing staffing shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the ongoing shortage of health workers, leaving health care facilities […]
Learn MoreEmployers subject to equal employment opportunity reporting (EEO-1) requirements now have until June 21, 2022 to file their workforce data from 2021. The initial deadline had already been delayed from March 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn MoreOn May 12, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) each issued new technical assistance documents about how employers’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other software tools to make employment decisions may result in unlawful disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). EEOC Guidance The EEOC’s […]
Learn MoreLabor law penalties are rising for employers. The hard truth is that the maximum penalty for federal posting violations has risen to over $38,000 since newly announced increases by the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have gone into effect – highlighting the seriousness of posting compliance.
Learn MoreEmployers Are Responding to Mental Health Concerns Mental health has been a hot topic this year, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past two years, so many people have experienced issues such as burnout, depression, anxiety, and substance addiction. In fact, 40% of U.S. adults said they have struggled with mental health or substance […]
Learn MoreNearly 1 in 5 Americans (21%) say they regularly wear a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Pew Research Center Wearable tech: Pros and Cons For Employers Wearable technology isn’t a new feature. For years, personal gadgets such as smartwatches have been gaining popularity among people who want better insight into their health trends. In fact, wearable […]
Learn MoreWhen an employee leaves, what do you need to say and do as an employer? There are steps for your organization to consider following a sudden departure.
Learn MoreIn this episode, we talk about background screening in the Senior Living industry. Chris and Kim talk with our guest Suzy Hansmann, Sr. Vice President of Human Resources at Grace Management, Inc. about the importance of using the right process for background checks in the Senior Living industry.
Learn MoreBy Training Employees HR Can Lead The Cybersecurity Fight Cyberattacks are a growing concern for employers across the globe but especially for those in the United States. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of reported U.S. data breaches rose 68% between 2020 and 2021, increasing to a record-setting 1,862 incidents. Of these […]
Learn MoreLearn How Your Business Website Design Can Become An HR Risk DOJ Guidance on the ADA and Web Accessibility for Businesses and State and Local Governments On March 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance on how public and private entities can ensure that their websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities, […]
Learn MoreOn Feb. 18, 2022, President Biden announced an extension of the National Emergency concerning COVID-19, stating that it must continue in effect beyond March 1, 2022. This extension impacts deadline relief related to the following employee benefit plan deadlines: HIPAA time frames—The 30-day period (or 60-day period, if applicable) to request special enrollment. COBRA time […]
Learn MoreThe ARPA suspended the requirement that taxpayers repay any excess advance payments of the premium tax credit for 2020. Highlights of this article: The IRS’ fact sheet addresses FAQs regarding filing individual tax returns that include premium tax credit issues. The FAQs detail how receiving unemployment compensation in 2020 or 2021 affects household income. The […]
Learn MoreThe Internal Revenue Service updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) on tax credits for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) for leave prior to April 1, 2021. Initially, the FFCRA qualified covered employers for dollar-to-dollar tax credits for amounts paid to employees who took leave for qualifying reasons. The credits also covered amounts […]
Learn MoreThe landmark health care reform legislation enacted in March 2010 was designed to expand the availability of health insurance, reform the regulation of health coverage and restructure its delivery. A key component—and a key cause of confusion—within the ACA is the employer mandate, which requires employers with 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent (FTE) […]
Learn MoreThe CDC is loosening guidance for a majority of the U.S. population. The agency now only recommends that individuals in high-risk areas wear a mask in indoor settings. Currently, around 70% of the U.S. population is in a low- or medium-risk county. As such, the CDC would no longer recommend that these individuals wear a mask indoors.
Learn MoreThe California Department of Industrial Relations has published answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and a poster for employers to use in connection with the state’s new COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave law. The law takes effect Feb. 19, 2022, but is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022. FAQs There are 37 FAQs in all, covering the following topics: General Questions […]
Learn MoreYour employees are both your biggest asset as well as your biggest risk. One of the ways you can prevent expensive risk is by regularly re-screening your employees. Learn more about the benefits of FCRA compliant screening of your existing workforce from MyHRScreens.
Learn MoreGovernor Gavin Newsom signs COVID sick leave bill California has enacted a new supplemental paid sick leave law requiring employers with more than 25 employees to provide them with up to 80 hours of paid leave for specific COVID-19-related reasons. The requirement takes effect on Feb. 19, 2022, but it is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022. California previously had a […]
Learn MoreOn Feb. 10, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (the Act). The U.S. House of Representatives had previously passed the Act, which is now expected to be signed by President Biden. Once signed, the Act will go into effect immediately. Ending Forced Arbitration Act The […]
Learn MoreWhat can employers do to prepare for ADA and prevent liability? The burden has shifted, now more than ever, to employers to provide reasonable accommodations when possible and show care in handling disability-related issues in the workplace.
Learn MoreAlthough post-pandemic life seems far out of reach, there are healthy ways for you to manage any uncertainty, anxiety and stress.
Learn MoreThe U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s vaccine-or-test rule Thursday, January 13, 2022, declaring that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had exceeded its authority. The Supreme Court issued mixed rulings in a pair of cases challenging Biden administration COVID-19 vaccine mandates, allowing the requirement for certain health care workers to go into […]
Learn MoreRiding the wave of “The Great Resignation” The staffing and talent shortage, often now referred to as the Great Resignation, is making it challenging for organizations to find quality employees to fill vacant roles. To mitigate the effects of this shortage, HR leaders must devise more effective strategies for evaluating talent. Once hired, the challenge […]
Learn MoreDetails on the Osha vaccination date requirements can be found here. On Jan. 7, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court heard an oral argument concerning the validity of the ETS. However, the OSHA vaccine and testing ETS is currently in place and enforceable. As a result, employers are expected to comply with the effective dates of Jan. 10 and Feb. 9, 2022.
Learn MoreBusinesses Should Become Familiar With These Common Questions About COVID-19 and the ADA On Jan. 6, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to businesses and other entities under certain circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new FAQs mainly […]
Learn More2022 Brings Plenty Of Challenges In Hiring And Staffing. Don’t Let Screening Negligence Hurt You. As we enter into 2022, there continues to be a rush of hiring to fill positions that have been vacant throughout the pandemic. It’s been hard to find employees, and also to retain employees. We understand the need for staffing […]
Learn MoreUpdate, January, 2022 – The deadline for ACA reporting forms to employers has been extended but with all of the busy new year HR tasks, it will be important to keep this deadline on your radar. Late or inaccurate forms could lead the IRS to notify an employer that it may be liable for a penalty […]
Learn MoreOn Dec. 14, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued 14 new answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about what employers may or may not do to comply with federal fair employment laws during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new FAQs specifically address the definition of “disability” and how to determine whether an individual with COVID-19 meets it under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Learn MoreWhen it comes to background checks, the information you verify and how often it is evaluated will prevent legal risk and build trust. An inconsistent approach to background checks could result in poor hires and could also leave employers open to potential negligent hiring lawsuits.
Learn MoreOn Dec. 8, 2021, the Senate voted on and passed a resolution to repeal President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers. The resolution passed with a simple majority vote of 52 to 48. The resolution aims to overturn the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS) that requires private employers of 100 or more employees to implement a vaccine or weekly testing policy.
Learn MoreOn Dec. 7, 2021, a Georgia federal judge blocked the federal contractors mandate nationwide. This new order comes right after a Kentucky federal judge issued a preliminary injunction effectively blocking the implementation and enforcement of President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal government contractors and subcontractors for Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio on Nov. 30, 2021. […]
Learn MoreA new variant of coronavirus initially detected in South Africa is prompting renewed concern regarding the pandemic. On Nov. 26, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) named the new variant “Omicron.” Omicron was labeled a “variant of concern,” the agency’s most serious category for tracking. Such a designation is reserved for dangerous variants that may be more transmissible or virulent or could decrease the effectiveness of vaccines or treatments.
Learn MoreWork smarter by outsourcing HR compliance duties Even if you have an HR professional(s) on staff, it is smart to outsource for HR assistance. Laws and policies are changing more often than ever, due to recent current events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of compliance mistakes is increasing. Keeping up with these new or […]
Learn MoreOn Nov. 12, 2021, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the Court) extended the stay it ordered for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) vaccine and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS) on Nov. 6, 2021. The judicial stay will remain in effect until the ETS’ legality is ultimately decided in the judicial system. The […]
Learn MoreThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final 2021 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. 2021 Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are the forms that will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC), including self-insured plan sponsors that are not applicable large employers (ALEs), to report under Section 6055. 2021 Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are the forms […]
Learn MoreThe Latest Update Confirms That President Biden’s ETS Will Remain Blocked On Friday, November 12, 2021, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked President Joe Biden’s coronavirus vaccine mandate in a ruling. The three-judge panel for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans affirmed its initial stay order from last week, stating that […]
Learn MoreOSHA can classify the COVID-19 ETS citations as ‘‘willful,’’ allowing it to propose higher penalties with increased deterrent effects.
Learn MoreOSHA’s ETS provisions require private employers with 100 or more employees to comply with several COVID-19-related requirements.
Learn MoreWorkers at larger businesses will have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4, 2022 or face regular testing under new federal rules. Read more about this Emergency Temporary Standard from OSHA.
Learn MoreFCRA Compliance for Employers Using Consumer Background Checks As the end of the year comes to a close, many businesses will be running their annual background checks. This overview will outline the steps an employer must take to comply with the FCRA. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that restricts how […]
Learn MorePresident Biden recently directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to draft a new emergency rule requiring businesses with 100 or more employees to ensure workers are either fully vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 weekly. Read an overview of the impending rule, talent market implications, and employer considerations for employee attraction and retention.
Learn MoreFailing to comply with the ACA’s requirements can cause severe consequences for an employer. This ACA Overview (PDF) summarizes the penalties and excise taxes that may be triggered by an ACA violation. Click the document below to enlarge and print.
Learn MoreThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made a number of significant changes to group health plans since the law was enacted in 2010. Since then, several changes have been made to various ACA requirements that employers and plan sponsors should be aware of. It is important for employers to periodically review their benefit plans in order to maintain compliance with these various requirements.
Learn MoreOn Oct. 5, 2021, California approved Assembly Bill 654 (AB 654) to amend California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 notice and reporting regulations. The bill became effective upon adoption on Oct. 5, 2021. The bill requires employers to give notice of COVID-19 outbreaks to: Qualifying individuals or employees exposed to qualifying individuals within one business day; […]
Learn MoreBreaking Down The November 22 Deadline By Vaccination October 15, 2021 – President Joe Biden announced, on Sept. 9, that OSHA would issue an ETS requiring covered businesses to mandate that their workers be vaccinated against the coronavirus or undergo weekly testing. Covered employers will also have to give workers paid time off to get […]
Learn MoreAs OSHA Submits Draft of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate ETS As Next Step Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it submitted a draft of its emergency temporary standard (ETS) for private employers requiring mandatory COVID-19 testing or vaccination to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ETS will require all businesses […]
Learn MoreFDA Authorizes New At-home Rapid Test for COVID-19 As an employer, within the workplace, we want to do all we can to prevent the spread or exposure from COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test—the Flowflex COVID-19 Home Test from ACON Laboratories—to increase consumer access to testing during […]
Learn MoreMore information on the COBRA deadline extension. IRS Notice 2021-58 clarifies the application of certain COBRA deadline extensions for electing COBRA coverage and paying COBRA premiums under prior relief that was issued as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak (“Emergency Relief”).
Learn MoreA number of changes were introduced to the health insurance marketplace with the passage of the ACA in 2010. From different reporting forms and health insurance plan requirements to the penalties imposed on employers for failing to comply with the Employer Mandate — The ACA created unique responsibilities for employers, health insurance carriers, and individuals alike. One of the ACA’s unique requirements from a reporting perspective relates to the different Forms 1095. The following information and take the confusion out of these forms.
Learn MoreNew Guidance on Claiming the Employee Retention Credit Although the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is expiring at the end of 2021, there’s still time for eligible businesses to claim the credit, if they haven’t already. The ERTC, also referred to as the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security […]
Learn MorePresident Joe Biden’s latest COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate is one of the federal government’s most aggressive efforts yet. What’s more, we know it will directly impact many private sector workforces as well as federal employees and contractors. For more on the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) being proposed click HERE. We encourage you to […]
Learn MoreIn this article we talk about the fact that the recent IRS guidance provided that amounts paid by individuals for PPE—including masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes used for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19—are deductible medical expenses. Therefore, the amount you paid for the PPE that is not compensated for by insurance may be deductible as long as your total medical expenses are more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
Learn MoreThe FDA has authorized the Pfizer vaccine booster for vulnerable populations including people ages 65 and older.
Learn MoreIn addition, any changes to a health plan’s benefits for the 2022 plan year should be communicated to plan participants through an updated summary plan description (SPD) or a summary of material modifications (SMM). Health plan sponsors should also confirm that their open enrollment materials contain certain required participant notices, when applicable—for example, the summary […]
Learn MoreWill Remote Workers Affect Open Enrollment? Open enrollment will be here before you know it—and it’ll likely differ than those held in years past, especially for remote employees. Benefit offerings may be changing, and you may be enrolling virtually as a remote employee. As such, it’s essential to come prepared. To avoid last-minute headaches, familiarize […]
Learn MoreOn Aug. 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (now marketed as Comirnaty) for individuals 16 years of age and older. As a result, many employers are exploring options related to COVID-19 vaccination status within their workforce, including whether to charge a premium surcharge for nonvaccinated […]
Learn MoreSteps For Employers To Reduce Risk Prior To The OSHA Vaccination & Testing Mandate On Sept. 9, 2021, President Biden announced that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is developing an emergency temporary standard (ETS). The new ETS will require private-sector employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated […]
Learn MoreImportant Information OSHA’s ETS for employers with 100 or more employees will be required to: Ensure their employees are fully vaccinated; or require workers who remain unvaccinated to produce a negative test result weekly before coming to work. On Sept. 9, 2021, President Biden announced that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is developing an emergency […]
Learn MoreIn this short podcast, we talk candidly with background check expert, Kim Lewis, about hiring and screening for the healthcare industry – beyond just drug testing, including the big difference in the FBI database search vs. a more comprehensive advanced healthcare screening package and ongoing monitoring. Read more in our article HERE. Bookmarks: 1:38. Why is […]
Learn MorePresident Biden to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for Federal Employees and Large Employers On Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, President Joe Biden signed executive orders requiring federal workers and contractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Biden also directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to draft a new emergency rule requiring all businesses with 100 or […]
Learn MoreAs employers plan to navigate the legal risks and logistics of employee vaccinations, this article explores what, how and when to communicate about COVID-19 vaccines with employees.
Learn MoreIntroducing Long-Haul Covid. In this episode learn how this has been affecting the workplace. Did you know employees that have lingering COVID symptoms after testing negative can be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act? Join Chris as he talks with John Yerger of MyHRConcierge about what employers should do when employees have these lingering symptoms.
Learn MoreEmployers now have even more extra time to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 2020, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on Aug. 18, 2021. The 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 reports were previously due These reports were previously due by Aug. 23, 2021, which was an extension from a previous […]
Learn MoreWe’re nearing the end of 2021 and we are beginning to see further effects of COVID-19 in those who have had the virus previously. As people begin to get back to work, we see that some have been affected by the COVID-19 virus with continuing symptoms. The CDC has begun to refer to this condition as having “long-haul covid.” As COVID “long-haulers” re-enter the workplace they may qualify for ADA accommodations.
Learn MoreWith a growing percentage of the United States population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many localities and, in turn, employers, have eased mask mandates and policies. However, due to the spread of an emerging variant of coronavirus known as Delta, these policies may still need updating, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now announced updates to its mask guidelines.
Learn MoreEmployer information about the third (booster) COVID-19 vaccine. On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals—roughly 3% of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learn More4 Lessons Learned From Open Enrollment During the Pandemic There’s no denying that the 2020 open enrollment season was unprecedented. It’s challenging enough most years to engage and educate employees to actively make decisions about their health care and other employer-sponsored benefits, and the prevalence of remote and hybrid workplaces added another level of complexity […]
Learn MoreYou Could Be Eligible For Tax Credits. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the employee retention credit, a provision of the CARES Act, is available through June 30, 2021 to eligible employers who retained employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IRS issued guidance in early March for the credit as it relates to qualified […]
Learn MoreHere’s how you could receive a tax break for hiring unemployed individuals. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit for hiring applicants from certain target groups who face significant barriers to employment—including individuals unemployed for 27 weeks or longer. With 9.5 million unemployed Americans in June, according to the Bureau of […]
Learn MoreWhile many are still undecided about being vaccinated, numbers for the COVID-19 Delta Variant are continuing to rise. As an employer, should there be a vaccination policy in your employee handbook? This article aims to clarify that whether an employer requires vaccines or makes them voluntary, including it as a clear policy within your handbook could save you great risk.
Learn MoreNew Direct Portal Makes PPP Forgiveness Easier The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced the opening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Direct Forgiveness Portal, which is intended to simplify applications for loan forgiveness for the smallest PPP borrowers. The PPP, which was created in March 2020 by the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and […]
Learn MoreHow to Prepare for Off-site Project Work—are Your Crews Ready? Late summer means hurricane season, where many weather emergencies will arise. Conditions can sometimes create a need for crews to deploy to other areas to help, and we want you to be prepared. Many industries see this as an opportunity and proper screening meeting the […]
Learn MoreJuly, 2021 – On July 7, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised its national emphasis program (NEP) for COVID-19. The revised NEP adjusts the targeted industries to those most at risk for COVID-19 exposure but still includes health care and non-health care, such as meat and poultry processing. The original NEP was […]
Learn MoreAs many Small Businesses (SMBs) re-open following the shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle continues due to the lack of workers to fill positions. A March survey by the National Federation of Independent Business found that 42% of owners had job openings that could not be filled, a record high. Ninety-one percent of those […]
Learn MoreIn this episode, we talk with John Yerger of MyHRConcierge regarding ways to increase your success when contesting unemployment claims. We will review how to best document responses, procedures and other ways to ensure you are put in the best place to win your cases.
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