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The MyHRBuzz Podcast tackles topics relevant to the world of Human Resources, ranging from Federal compliance to workplace culture.

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Workforce Management | Nov 18, 2021

It’s Worth It. Why An SMB Should Outsource HR Tasks.

Work Smarter By Outsourcing HR Tasks Even if you have an HR professional(s) on staff, it is smart to outsource HR tasks to supplement your internal HR team. 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Nov 16, 2021

Diving Deeper Into The Current Stay of The OSHA ETS

On 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 […]

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Affordable Care Act | Nov 15, 2021

Final 2021 Forms For ACA Reporting Released

The 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Nov 15, 2021

Update: The Court Speaks, Maintains Block on Biden Vaccine Mandate

The 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 […]

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Federal Law Updates | Nov 03, 2021

Attraction and Retention Amid President Biden’s Vaccine Mandates  

President 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.      

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EEOC | Oct 26, 2021

EEOC Adds FAQs Addressing Religious Objections to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

On Oct. 25, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued additional answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how employers should comply with Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act. The new FAQs address questions about religious objections to employer COVID-19 vaccine requirements. They were added to the FAQs that the EEOC initially issued on March 18, 2020, and then updated several times. The last major update to this guidance was made in May 2021. The EEOC also made minor updates to some of the Q&As on Oct. 13, 2021.This Compliance Bulletin contains the EEOC’s updated FAQs in full.

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Affordable Care Act | Oct 25, 2021

2022 ACA Compliance Overview

The 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.

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OSHA | Oct 21, 2021

OSHA Warns Several States to Adopt a COVID-19 Health Care ETS

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the health care COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) in June 2021. Since then, three of the 21 states with their own state plans have not adopted the federal standard or developed their own equivalent. The three states are Arizona, South Carolina and Utah. Under the OSH Act, […]

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COVID-19 | Oct 21, 2021

Cal/OSHA Amends Notice and Reporting Requirements for COVID-19

On 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; […]

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COVID-19 | Oct 14, 2021

Signs That OSHA ETS, Vaccination Mandate Is Moving Forward

As 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 […]

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Broker Information | Oct 12, 2021

Are You What Your Client Looks For In a Broker?

Do you know what your HR clients are looking for in a broker? We know employers are looking for more from their agents. While employers continue to rely on insurance agents for expert insurance provider advice, they are now looking for more help navigating the ever-changing workplace and shifting employee needs in order to create their own niche in their industry.

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COVID-19 | Oct 11, 2021

How At-Home COVID-19 Tests May Help The Employer.

 FDA 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 […]

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Affordable Care Act | Oct 05, 2021

Understanding Forms 1095A, B & C For ACA Reporting

A 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.

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IRS Updates | Sep 30, 2021

Update On The Extension To Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)

New 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Sep 29, 2021

At-A-Glance Guidance For Employers In Preparation For Biden Vaccine Mandate

President 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 […]

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Broker Information | Sep 27, 2021

PPE Expenses are Reimbursable Under Health FSAs, HRAs and HSAs

In 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).

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Broker Information | Sep 23, 2021

2022 Open Enrollment Checklist

In 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 […]

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Broker Information | Sep 21, 2021

Preparing For Open Enrollment In This Second Pandemic Year

Will 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 […]

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Employee Benefits | Sep 21, 2021

What Does the Broker Compensation Disclosure Rule Mean for Employers?

Transparency and shared expectations are gold standards of any successful business relationship. When it comes to a broker, employers should look for someone who keeps them informed about important issues related to their interests. In that spirit, this article discusses new compensation disclosure rules and sets expectations for the future.    Broker Compensation Disclosure Rule  The Consolidated […]

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COVID-19 | Sep 20, 2021

Surcharges For Nonvaccinated Individuals – Things To Consider

On 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Sep 17, 2021

Podcast: OSHA Vaccination ETS & Important Guidance For Employers

Steps 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Sep 15, 2021

OSHA Developing Private Sector Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19

Important 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 […]

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MyHRBuzz Podcast | Sep 14, 2021

Podcast: The Importance Of Healthcare Specific Screening As You Hire During Covid-19 In The Healthcare Industry

In 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Sep 10, 2021

POTUS signs an executive order for COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employers

President 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 […]

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Affordable Care Act | Sep 07, 2021

Early Is The New On-Time For ACA Reporting Preparation

It’s not too late to prepare for ACA filing and These Resources Can Help You Prepare for 2022 ACA Reporting. 2021 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Reporting is Due in Early 2022 The IRS has released draft 2021 versions of Forms 1094-C, 1095-C, 1094-B and 1095-B that employers will use in early 2022 to report under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and […]

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MyHRBuzz Podcast | Aug 31, 2021

Podcast: Vaccination Policy Know-How. All About Vaccination Policy For Employers

Protect yourself with a vaccination policy. Are you an employer struggling with how to communicate your COVID policies? Join Chris as he talks with John Yerger of MyHRConcierge about what you need to know about implementing a COVID vaccination policy. Read our supporting article as well. Click HERE. Bookmarks: 1:43    Do employers need a vaccination policy?3:08    Has […]

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EEOC | Aug 31, 2021

EEO-1 Deadline Extended Again To October 25, 2021

Employers 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Aug 19, 2021

Employers Deal With “Long-Haul Covid” And How It Affects The Workplace

We’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.

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COVID-19 | Aug 18, 2021

With Or Without Vaccine, Delta Variant Creates Questions About Masking At Work

With 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.

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COVID-19 | Aug 18, 2021

Booster Anyone? Third Vaccine Dose Available

Employer 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.

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COVID-19 | Aug 16, 2021

Delta Variant Affect On Return-to-Work Mask Policies

With 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 […]

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Employee Benefits | Aug 10, 2021

4 Lessons Learned From Open Enrollment During the Pandemic

4 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Aug 09, 2021

Is There Something Good To Gain From All This Hiring?

You 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 […]

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Department of Labor | Aug 09, 2021

Receive A Tax Break During The Post- Pandemic Hiring Frenzy

Here’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 […]

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COVID-19 | Aug 09, 2021

Does Your Business Need Guidance About A Vaccination Policy?

While 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.

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COVID-19 | Jul 29, 2021

PPP Update: SBA Simplifies PPP Loan Forgiveness With New Direct Portal

New 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 […]

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Employment Screening | Jul 19, 2021

Do Your Work Crews Travel?

How 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 […]

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Employment Screening | Jul 15, 2021

Different Industries Will Have Different Screening Needs. Here’s The Scoop.

The transportation, distribution, manufacturing, and healthcare industries all have different employment needs, and balancing the demand for new hires and safety for these various industries is something companies are challenged by. With the influx of employee hiring in these industries in these post-pandemic times, the need for qualified and stable individuals remains a priority.   […]

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COVID-19 | Jul 14, 2021

OSHA Revises Its COVID-19 National Emphasis Program

July, 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 […]

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Hiring | Jul 12, 2021

The Wake Of The Covid Pandemic Continues To Shake Up Hiring For SMBs

  As 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 […]

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COVID-19 | Jul 12, 2021

Protecting HR Teams From Burnout

Burnout is a commonly discussed issue these days—particularly while many workforces are still working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Being isolated, stressed and overworked puts employees in a difficult position and can lead to increased burnout. Oftentimes, it’s HR’s responsibility to help employees cope with burnout and its contributing factors. However, in many cases, […]

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EEOC | Jul 12, 2021

EEOC Extends EEO-1 Deadline for 2019 and 2020 Data to Aug. 23

Employers now have some 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 June 28, 2021. These reports were previously due by July 19, 2021. Employers now have until Aug. 23, 2021, to complete their submissions. The EEOC’s collection of this […]

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COVID-19 | Jul 09, 2021

The Wake Of The Covid Pandemic Continues To Shake Up SMBs As They Re-hire.

  Challenges To Re-Staff Businesses Post-pandemic Continue As many Small Businesses (SMBs) re-open following the shut downs 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, […]

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IRS Updates | Jun 29, 2021

PCORI Fees Now Due August 2, 2021 Instead of July 31.

This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).  Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2021 deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).  As background, the […]

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DOL | Jun 28, 2021

Small Businesses Should Understand Form 5500

Understanding Form 5500 is important to businesses with retirement plans. Among the many fiduciary responsibilities that must be reported on the Form 5500, plan sponsors must deposit employees’ salary or wage deferrals into their accounts as soon as administratively feasible, but no later than the 15th business day of the month following the month in which […]

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Employment Screening | Jun 28, 2021

Preventing A Post-Covid “Turnover Tsunami”

The COVID-19 pandemic is finally getting under control. As more Americans get vaccinated, states are gradually lifting restrictions, and life is returning to pre-pandemic normalcy. Finally, individuals can get to the tasks they’ve been postponing for more than a year. Unfortunately for employers looking to retain employees, some employees are now ready to find new […]

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EEOC | Jun 24, 2021

He Said, She Said, We Said… Gender Sensitivity In The Workplace

Our workplace continues to change, with diversity and inclusivity in the forefront. One element of diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) is gender identity and acknowledgement of an employee’s preferred pronouns. More employees are entering the workplace with gender identities and expressions that are different than what we may expect when we discuss gender, creating a need for more understanding.

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COVID-19 | Jun 17, 2021

Are Your Post-Covid Work Policies Up To Date?

Protect Your Workplace In A Post-Covid Time. 8 Policies To Review For New Post-Covid Office Norms Returning to in-person work is a top priority for many workplaces. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lessens, employers are eager to get employees back in their buildings. But that comes with a series of complications. New policies, […]

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Workforce Management | Jun 16, 2021

EEOC Announces New Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Employment Resources

June 16, 2021 – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced the release of new employment resources intended to educate employees, applicants and employers on the rights of all employees—including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers—to be free from sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment. These resources are not new EEOC guidance, […]

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Workforce Management | Jun 14, 2021

Attention Healthcare Employers: OSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard for Health Care

OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). The ETS was developed to protect health care and health care support service workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19 in settings where people with COVID-19 are reasonably expected to be present. The […]

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Workforce Management | Jun 08, 2021

Handling the Influx of Remote Work Requests

As the decision is made for employees to come back to the office, employees may begin to have remote work requests. Likewise, companies may be more accepting of those requests than prior to the pandemic. Some companies could even make their entire operations remote as a new way to manage facility costs.

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COVID-19 | Jun 08, 2021

Best Practices and Monitoring Remote Workflow

Monitoring Remote Workers Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, more employees are working remotely than ever before. And, even as businesses begin to reopen across the country, remote work will likely remain popular for the foreseeable future. While remote work arrangements help keep employees healthy and safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they […]

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IRS Updates | Jun 07, 2021

IRS Update: ACA Forms for 2021 Reporting

IRS Draft Forms For 2021 ACA Reporting Released The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released draft 2021 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. 2021 draft Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are draft versions of forms that will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC), including self-insured plan sponsors that […]

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COVID-19 | Jun 01, 2021

​Hiring After COVID-19 Shutdown Still Remains A Challenge

The Status Of Unemployment Benefits Is Changing The Hiring Forecast There continues to be an increase in the number of states planning to end enhanced unemployment benefits, which were made available due to the pandemic. So where does this all stand? We hope to shed some light on the current state of hiring and unemployment […]

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COVID-19 | May 28, 2021

Podcast: New Vaccine Mandate Q&A.

Can Employers Mandate Vaccination For Work? Many employers are struggling with whether they can mandate the COVID-19 vaccination for work. Employers Are confused as to what they can and can’t do as the COVID-19 becomes more prevalent and how to navigate new CDC guidance. Join us as we speak with Bill Gault with Nippes, Healy […]

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COVID-19 | May 27, 2021

Employers Should Be Careful Asking If An Employee Has Been Vaccinated.

May 27, 2021 – Now that many federal and state officials have relaxed COVID-19 safety rules for people who are fully vaccinated, employers may want to ask workers for proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status. But employers should be careful not to ask for more information than is necessary. According to the U.S.  Equal Employment Opportunity […]

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COVID-19 | May 24, 2021

Employee COVID-19 Vaccine Cards

May, 2021 – All adults in the United States are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. With vaccine distribution reaching the general public, a growing proportion of the workforce is now vaccinated. In turn, many of these vaccinated employees have also received a vaccine card. It’s worthwhile for employers to understand what COVID-19 vaccine cards are […]

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COBRA | May 20, 2021

More IRS Guidance on American Rescue Plan’s COBRA Subsidy

On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued Notice 2021-31, a guidance document on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subsidy for continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The Notice discusses the background of the subsidy and includes 86 questions and answers (Q&As) about its application. A Quick Recap: […]

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Employment Screening | May 18, 2021

Socially Acceptable? Social Media Can Get You Hired, Or Fired!

Have you ever posted something on social media and then later regretted it? Most of the time, you can go back to delete it before anyone notices. Not everyone, however, is so lucky. Regardless of how many followers you have on social media, one wrong post and you could lose your job or be passed over for a new job. Many people from public-facing institutions and businesses have been sanctioned, demoted, suspended, or fired for inappropriate or concerning activity online in recent days.

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COVID-19 | May 05, 2021

Hiring Frenzy Post Pandemic

Don’t Let The Rush To Staff Up Affect The Quality Of Your Next Hire. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the workplace and now we are seeing an influx in job needs and hiring. What will this look like for this next season of reopening? It is unsure. We know restaurants and other small businesses […]

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HR Life and Wellness | May 04, 2021

Mental Health Awareness Month of May

May is Mental Health Awareness month and a good month to reflect on the needs of our employees from a mental standpoint. The past year has been hard on us in many ways, but it is important to acknowledge the challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed on us mentally. Many employees may have psychiatric […]

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HR Life and Wellness | Apr 30, 2021

Post-Pandemic HR Fatigue Is Setting In

Burnout is a commonly discussed issue these days—particularly while many workforces are still working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Being isolated, stressed and overworked puts employees in a difficult position and can lead to increased burnout. Oftentimes, its HR’s responsibility to help employees cope with burnout and its contributing factors.

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IRS Updates | Apr 26, 2021

IRS Issues Employer Resources on FFCRA Leave Tax Credits

The IRS has released new resources explaining the tax credits available for employers who opt to provide paid family leave and paid sick leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Sept. 30, 2021. The new resources consist of a fact sheet and a  “snapshot” document […]

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COVID-19 | Apr 23, 2021

New Vaccination Tax Credit for SMBs

President Biden announced a paid leave tax credit for small- and medium-sized businesses. This credit will allow eligible employers to fully offset the cost of paid leave for employees to get vaccinated and recover from any after-effects of the vaccination.

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HR Life and Wellness | Apr 22, 2021

Employee Harrassment Should Be Taken Seriously

EEOC Harassment Findings and Recommendations for Employers According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, […]

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Employment Screening | Apr 22, 2021

Continuous Screening – What Employers Need To Know…

Getting Prepared – What Employers Need to Know Before Implementing Continuous Screening Continuous employee screening, sometimes known as continuous employee monitoring or “infinity screening,” is the practice of conducting criminal background checks and drug tests for existing employees on a regular or intermittent schedule. Some companies, especially high-volume, high turnover, or those who employ gig […]

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COVID-19 | Apr 21, 2021

More Employers Consider Vaccine Policies

As U.S. vaccination numbers rise,employers consider vaccination policies The vaccine effort in the United States has ramped up nicely. Recently we have seen dispersion as high as 2.5 million a day. The federal government will send out 27 million doses of vaccine soon — so the challenges of vaccination are going to change rapidly. The rapidly expanding vaccine […]

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IRS Updates | Apr 13, 2021

2021 IRS Employee Retention Credit Changes/Updates

On April 2, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Notice 2021-23 to provide guidance for employers claiming the employee retention credit (ERC) for the first two quarters of 2021. The ERC was originally created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and has since been modified and extended by other […]

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Workforce Management | Apr 13, 2021

Employees May Resist In-Office Work Transition

Managers may be running into a common problem as employers advance their reopening plans: employees resisting transitioning back to working in an office full-time. Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the merits and pitfalls of working remotely were often debated. As states went into lockdown to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, many workforces were […]

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Federal Law Updates | Apr 08, 2021

Update: DOL Model Notices

DOL Issues Model Notices, FAQs for COBRA Subsidy in the ARPA On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs and model notices for the COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The ARPA provides a 100% subsidy for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under COBRA and similar […]

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State Law Updates | Apr 01, 2021

California Labor Law Poster Changes

Update Your California and Federal Workplace Labor Law Posters New Labor Law Poster Changes FFCRA Paid Time Off Law: Covered Employees in the public or private sector who work for employers with more than 25 employees are entitled to up to 80 hours of COVID-19 related sick leave from January 1, 2021 through September, 2021, […]

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Federal Law Updates | Mar 31, 2021

EEOC Announces 2021 EEO-1 Reporting

The portal for private-sector employers to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 2020 will open on April 26, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 29, 2021. The agency also announced that the deadline for submitting 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 data is July 19, 2021. This data collection was previously delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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IRS Updates | Mar 30, 2021

IRS Extends 2021 Tax Deadlines

Ongoing Pandemic Affects Tax Deadline On March 29, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2021-21, which extends tax deadlines for filing Form 1040 series returns and other deadlines to May 17, 2021. The Notice, issued as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, follows a prior IRS extension (also to May 17, 2021) of […]

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COVID-19 | Mar 30, 2021

Congress Passes Extention of the PPP

PPP Extension moves beyond March 31. Congress has passed the PPP Extension Act of 2021, a 60-day extension of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Payment Protection Program (PPP), which was set to expire on March 31. The bill will be sent to President Joe Biden shortly, who is expected to sign the extension before […]

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