On January 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued and posted on its website updated model general and election notices that group health plans may use to comply with COBRA notification requirements. These notices contain a new expiration date of January 31, 2026. Next Steps for Employers Use of the DOL’s model notices […]
On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a proposed rule that, if finalized, would make it illegal for an employer to: Excluded from the definition of a non-complete agreement are restrictive covenants such as non-disclosure agreements or non-solicitation agreements as these types of agreements generally do not prevent a worker from finding […]
Since the pandemic, high deductible health plans (HDHPs) have been allowed to provide benefits for telehealth or other remote care services before plan deductibles were met. Temporary relief to HDHPs regarding the ability to continue utilizing telemedicine and other remote medical services, before meeting their plan’s minimum deductible and without imposing any restrictions affecting health […]
The federal contractor vaccine mandate has been an ongoing source of litigation. On January 12, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld most of a district court’s injunction blocking the federal contractor vaccine mandate in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. The Sixth Circuit held that federal procurement law did not authorize the President‘s September […]
On December 15, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations to permanently extended certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting deadlines for health plans, insurers and applicable large employers (ALEs) (employers with at least 50 full-time equivalent employees), who are required each year to provide individual statements to participants and employees and complete a […]
Establishments that had 11 or more employees at any point in 2022 or establishments that have been asked by OSHA (in writing) to do so are required to post Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300A from February 1 through April 30 unless they qualify as an exempt low-risk industry. Next Steps for Employers […]
Employers must electronically submit their 2022 Form 300A data to OSHA if they have: Employers must send this data electronically, using OSHA’s online Injury Tracking Application (ITA). The deadline to submit the report is March 2, 2023. If the submission due date of March 2 has passed, establishments that meet the reporting requirements and failed to do […]
On December 29, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0” or Act) into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. SECURE 2.0 includes a wide range of changes which further expand retirement plan access as provided under the SECURE Act of 2019 (“Secure 1.0”). The Act includes […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures safe and healthy working conditions for workers by making and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. Part of the agency’s enforcement standards permits it to assess penalties for OSHA violations. The OSH Act covers most private sector employers and their workers, in addition to […]
On December 29, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the 2023 standard mileage rate. The increase began on January 1 and increased the rate from 62.5 cents per mile to 65.5 cents per mile. These rates apply to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles, as well as gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. Next Steps for Employers The IRS rate for mileage […]
