Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19. At this time, anyone 16 or older in New York State can get a first dose COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment at any state-run mass vaccination site. According to the CDC, the vaccines are safe, effective, reduce the risk of severe […]
Are you curious about how other companies have responded to changes in leave laws and remote work environment over the past year? It is no secret that the past year has had a huge impact on both employers and employees with regard to leave laws and working remotely. We have been fielding a lot of […]
On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs and model notices for the COBRA premium assistance provisions of the ARPA. The ARPA provides a 100% subsidy for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under COBRA and similar state continuation of coverage programs. The subsidy applies from April 1 through September 30, 2021. The notices and FAQs appear […]
On March 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a national emphasis program (NEP) for COVID-19. OSHA establishes NEPs when it identifies a need to focus its resources to address hazards and high-hazard industries. This NEP will remain in effect for one year until March 12, 2022, but OSHA can amend or cancel the program […]
The state has issued updated guidance on the Travel Advisory. Asymptomatic travelers entering New York from another country, U.S. state, or territory are no longer required to test or quarantine as of April 10, 2021. Quarantine, consistent with the CDC recommendations, is still recommended for all travelers who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from laboratory confirmed COVID-19 during the previous 3 months. Symptomatic travelers […]
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that I-9 flexibility will be continued for another 60 days, until May 31, 2021. With this extension, ICE specifically noted that employees hired on or after April 1, 2021 who work exclusively in a remote setting due to COVID-19 related precautions will be exempt from the I-9 physical inspection requirements […]
On December 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule to amend employee tip regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule was scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2021; however, on February 26, 2021, the DOL delayed the rule’s effective date to April 30, 2021. After […]
On March 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposal to rescind the Independent Contractor final rule. The rule was originally published in January, but its effective date has been delayed as the result of a freeze the Biden administration ordered on regulatory changes adopted late into the previous administration. The independent contractor final rule would require employers to […]
On March 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposal to rescind the 2020 Joint Employer Determination Rule (the Rule). Joint employment or co-employment situations arise when two or more organizations share the control and supervision of one or more employees. Joint employers are equally and individually responsible for compliance with labor and employment laws, including […]
In late March 2021, the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) issued much anticipated guidance on New York state’s new COVID-19 vaccine leave law. The law, which was signed by Governor Cuomo and went into effect on March 12, 2021, requires employers to provide up to four hours of paid leave upon request to employees who […]
