Employers in the U.S. are facing regulatory upheaval on multiple fronts. The federal government has taken up a new interest in potentially limiting the applicability of restrictive covenants, such as non-compete agreements. Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) (currently stayed by the Fifth Circuit) requiring employers
November 2021
Delays at U.S. Passport Agencies Continue
U.S. passport agencies maintained extremely limited operations as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were significant delays, application status could not even be checked online and people were encouraged to wait to apply until normal operations resumed absent life or death emergencies. In June 2020, the agency started resuming regular operations with a…
Fate of OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine ETS in the Hands of Sixth Circuit Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit will decide the merits of the challenges to the OSHA COVID-19 vaccine Emergency Temporary Standard. Read more.
Updates to EEOC COVID-19 Guidance Reminds Employers of General Anti-Retaliation Protections for Employees
The EEOC has recently updated its What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws to include a section on Retaliation and Interference.
The update to EEOC’s guidance reviews anti-retaliation protections under the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title…
UPDATED: Federal Contractor Vaccine Updates: January 18 “Fully Vaccinated” Deadline and New FAQs
Updated! The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force has updated the error in the vaccination deadline reported yesterday, correcting January 18, 2021 to January 18, 2022.
Vaccination of covered contractor employees, except in limited circumstances where an employee is legally entitled to an accommodation Covered contractors must ensure that all covered contractor employees are fully
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What Healthcare Employers Need to Know About the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Vaccine Mandate
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) establishing the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff employed at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers. Read more.
COVID-19 State Updates
Several states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico have made updates to their COVID-19-related laws, regulations and orders.
List of States Limiting Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Continues to Expand
Iowa, Tennessee, Utah, and Florida recently have joined the expanding list of states passing laws curtailing the use of COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers. Read the…
What Healthcare Employers Need to Know About the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Vaccine Mandate
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) establishing the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff employed at Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers. Read more.
Update on Face Coverings in California
In June, California relaxed many of its COVID-19 restrictions, including allowing fully vaccinated individuals to go without a face covering indoors, with limited exception. Also in June, Cal/OSHA passed an amended Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) that allowed for fully vaccinated employees to go without a face covering in most situations.
However, as California…
The Pandemic Continues, but ACA Reporting Relief Does Not
As employers with 50 or more full-time (or full-time equivalent) employees are well aware, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (”ACA”) requires annual submission of Forms 1094-C and 1095-C with the Internal Revenue Service, and distribution of Forms 1095-C. These submissions and distributions are generally due:
| Furnishing of Forms 1095-C to employees: | January 31 |
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