On March 23, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 1480, which amends the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Equal Pay Act, and the Illinois Business Corporation Act. SB 1480, which became law immediately, sets forth various new requirements on employers that will require careful consideration and implementation. 1. Employers Are...Read More
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This law contains key provisions and makes related changes to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) that may impact employers. The FFCRA expired on December 31, 2020, but shortly before...Read More
On February 18, 2021, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law Senate Bill 1 that provides employers’ civil tort immunity related to COVID-19. The immunity applies to causes of action that accrue from March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024. The law specifically provides a person is immune from civil tort liability for damages arising...Read More
On January 14, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden announced his American Rescue Plan through which he plans to provide much-needed economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. His plan includes expansion of the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) as detailed below. Expansion of Covered Employers The plan covers all employers. This...Read More
On December 29, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) published two new Field Assistance Bulletins (“FABS”) addressing issues related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. FAB 2020-7 addresses electronic notice postings requirements under federal labor laws. FAB 2020-8 in turn clarifies how telemedicine visits may qualify for FMLA leave. These new guidelines are discussed in detail below. ...Read More
The recently passed Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act (“Act”) provides $900 billion in stimulus aid to struggling businesses and individuals along with $284 billion allocated to renewing the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Although many aspects of the Act mirror the previously passed CARES Act legislation, such as offering low interest...Read More
The Economic Aid Act (“EAA”) was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and provides $900 billion in financial relief to struggling individuals, businesses, and organizations. The EEA also renews the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and expands its terms to allow for eligible 501(c)(6) organizations to become borrowers. Local chambers of commerce, labor and trade...Read More
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 that was signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020, extends the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) unemployment insurance programs passed earlier this year. The CARES Act expanded unemployment insurance benefits to individuals through three programs: (1) Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”); (2) Pandemic...Read More
This article is an update of an article posted on December 22, 2020. On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 in order to fund the government through September 30, 2021 and provide economic relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This law does not extend the Families First...Read More
With COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon, it is imperative for employers to create an effective and lawful vaccine program for its employees. On December 16, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its guidance on the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees related to COVID-19 vaccination, including when employers may require employees to...Read More
