Summary At a Glance Beginning October 1, 2026, South Carolina employers will be required to provide job-protected leave to employees who are members of the Civil Air Patrol. Eligible employees may take: Private employers may provide the leave as unpaid. Employers cannot require employees to use or exhaust vacation, sick leave, paid time off, or another type of leave […]
Summary At a Glance The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has finalized rules implementing the state’s Earned Sick and Safe Time law. The rules took effect on July 6, 2026, and contain both employer-friendly provisions and additional compliance obligations. Employers with employees working in Minnesota should review their current practices to determine whether updates are necessary. Key Highlights […]
With the 2026 open enrollment season approaching, employers should be fully prepared for one of the most critical periods in managing employee benefits. This season can be complex and stressful for both employers and employees. However, effective planning, clear communication, and attention to compliance can reduce risk, increase engagement, and streamline the process. Outlined below […]
With the 2025 open enrollment season quickly approaching, employers must be prepared as it is a significant period for managing employee benefits that can be stressful for both employers and employees. Effective planning and focusing on key areas can streamline the process, increase engagement, and ensure compliance: Steps for a Successful Open Enrollment Review Benefit […]
Open Enrollment (OE) is just around the corner for many, and whether you are handling it on your own or with some guidance, making sure you are prepared for the task at hand will ensure that you have a smooth and seamless OE. Managing OE is extremely time consuming, and employer group health and welfare […]
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 […]
On January 20, 2021, the New York Department of Labor issued Guidance on the Use of COVID-19 Sick Leave (Guidance). The law provides paid and unpaid sick leave with access to expanded Paid Family Leave and temporary disability depending on the size of the employer as follows: Small businesses with 10 or fewer employees as of January 1, 2020, and […]
Extension of FFCRA Tax Credits but No Leave Mandate The Appropriations Bill (Bill), signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 27, 2020, does not extend the emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) and expanded family and medical leave (EFMLA) mandates created by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). These leave requirements expired on […]
New York Paid Family Leave (PFL) contribution and benefit amounts increase in January. The New York State Department of Financial Services has announced that for calendar year 2021, employers may deduct 0.511% of an employee’s weekly wage, up to an annual cap of $385.34, to pay the premium cost for PFL. Effective January 1, 2021, […]
In April, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) issued a joint notice providing for the extension of COBRA election and premium payments. The Notice stated that certain deadlines under COBRA, from the period beginning March 1, 2020, and ending 60 days following the announced end of the National Emergency (“outbreak period”) […]
