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 […]
After delaying the opening of the 2019 EEO-1 Component 1 Data Collection on May 8, 2020 considering the COVID-19 public health emergency, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on March 29, 2021 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 […]
On March 31, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults ages 21 and older. With the passage of the new law, New York joins 15 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing recreational cannabis. Under the new law, employers may continue to enact and enforce policies prohibiting marijuana in the workplace. […]
As communicated in the March HR Special Alert, under the American Rescue Plan, employers with fewer than 500 employees have the option to voluntarily continue to offer FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Emergency FMLA (E-FMLA) and receive a tax credit for such paid leave. Tax credits will be available for qualified leave taken through September 30, 2021. HR Works has been […]
American Rescue Plan Act On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (Act), a $1.9 trillion relief bill containing financial benefits for individuals, businesses, state and local governments and more. The following measures impact employers and employees: HR Works Can Help We understand the challenges employers face with new and […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of employees who are teleworking. The shift to teleworking resulted in numerous considerations for employers who did not have remote operations including, but not limited to, expense reimbursements, time keeping, meal and rest breaks, unauthorized work, monitoring productivity, data security and engagement. In addition to these considerations, many […]
A Note from Gerry Pierce, CEO of HR Works Research makes it abundantly clear that a company that desires to have a highly engaged workforce will foster an environment that allows for its employees to achieve a strong balance between work and family. Along these lines, most of the survey results I have reviewed over […]
The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2020. And, with no word at this time as to whether the provisions will be extended, this means that employees may lose job protected paid leave. The loss of leave for certain COVID-19 related situations including leave to care for […]
