Monthly Archives: July 2020

Applies to:           All Employers subject to the ACA Effective:             July 8, 2020 In Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania, U.S. Supreme Court stated that employers may refuse to provide contraception coverage in healthcare plans based on a sincere religious or moral objection. This ends the nationwide preliminary injunction prohibiting

Applies to:           All Employers of DACA Recipients Effective:             June 18, 2020 In Dept. of Homeland Security v. Regents of the Univ. of Cal., the U.S. Supreme Court recent ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was improperly ended by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS). DACA allows certain unauthorized aliens who

Applies to:           All Employers Effective:             June 11 and 17, 2020 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) continuously updates its “What You Should Know” guidance related to COVID-19. It recently provided updates on June 11th and 17th. Here are some of the key takeaways: Employers may only use viral testing to verify the absence of COVID-19

Applies to:           All Employers with PPP Loans Effective:             June 5, 2020 HR 7010 recently extended certain provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act of 2020. Borrowers can spend up to 40% (formerly 25%) on qualified non-payroll costs, such as rent and utilities costs. The time for borrowers to spend loan funds and meet

Applies to:           All Employers Effective:             May 19, 2020 Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), commission-paid employees may be exempt from overtime pay if they meet certain conditions, including a compensation test, regular rate test, and if the employer is a qualified “establishment.”  As of May 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) clarified

Applies to:           All Employers Effective:             May 12, 2020 Under normal circumstances, employees are typically only able to elect health coverage during open enrollment each plan year, unless the employee experiences qualifying life events.  On May 12, 2020, the IRS issued IRS Notice 2020-29, which suspends the federal rule limiting mid-year plan changes.  Notice 2020-29 allows

Applies to:           All For-Profit Employers with CA Employees subject to the CCPA Effective:             TBD On July 1, 2020, the California Attorney General began enforcing the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) which requires businesses to comply with certain privacy protections for consumers and employees who reside in California. However, California is still lacking guidance on compliance

Applies to:           All CA Employers Effective:             June 3, 2020 Cal/OSHA, California’s state-specific workplace safety agency, recently published an FAQ regarding the recording and reporting requirements for COVID-19 cases.  The FAQ confirms that employers must record COVID-19 illnesses if they are work-related and meet certain criteria. Recording COVID-19 Illnesses.  Work-related COVID-19 illnesses must be reported on

Applies to:           All Employers with ID Employees Effective:             July 1, 2020 July brings two new updates for Idaho employers with regard to driving and workers’ compensation coverage. Cell Phone Use and Distracted Driving Prohibitions. Effective July 1, 2020, an individual may not operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device.  Exceptions to this

Applies to:           All Employers with 15+ Waterloo, IA Employees Effective:             July 1, 2020 Despite legal challenges, the City of Waterloo’s Ban-the-Box Ordinance went into effect as scheduled on July 1, 2020.  It prohibits employers from inquiring in any manner into an applicant’s criminal history prior to a conditional offer of employment, unless the applicant voluntarily