COVID-19/Coronavirus

URGENT: Agency Guidance – IRS Notices Announce Increased Flexibility for Certain Plans

California, COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

Issue Date: May 13, 2020 Our partners at Benefit Comply has put together some crucial information on the IRS’s national response to the 2019 Coronavirus outbreak. The first notice increases “flexibility with respect to mid-year elections under a §125 cafeteria plan during the calendar year 2020 related to employer-sponsored health coverage, health Flexible Spending Arrangements …

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URGENT CA: Comparison COVID-19 Paid Leave

California, COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text] In the face of the COVID-19, Guardian HR wants to keep employers aware of available California leave benefits. What employees are entitled to may be confusing. Below you will find an overview of the different types of CA paid leave and our comparison guidance sheet to determine which paid leave best works for …

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URGENT CA: COVID-19 Worker’s Compensation

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order (EO) creating a rebuttable presumption of worker’s compensation coverage for employees who were directed to work outside the home from March 17 until approximately July 5 and have tested positive for COVID-19. Specifically, the order: Applies to any employee who reported to work outside of the home at the direction …

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URGENT: EEOC Won’t Collect Employer EEO-1 Data in 2020 Due to Coronavirus

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on May 7 that it will delay until March 2021 collection of EEO-1 Component 1 information—which asks for the number of employees who work for a covered business sorted by job category, race, ethnicity and gender. “The EEOC recognizes the impact that the current public health emergency is …

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Monthly Compliance Calendar Alert – Keep Your Company Compliant in May: Hiring, and Returning to Work

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

If you’re in HR, you’re no stranger to compliance management, forms, and deadlines—though keeping them all in order may be a different story. We want to be sure you’re equipped with the right information to keep everything on track year after year, from ACA to FLSA. That’s why we put together the HR compliance calendar …

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URGENT: Mandatory COVID-19 Poster

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

As part of the Family First Coronavirus Recovery Act (FFCRA), employees at small businesses may be entitled to a number of new benefits for sick and family leave. To make sure employees understand their options, employers are required to post notice of the requirements. The Department of Labor requires all employers with less than 500 …

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URGENT: EEOC Issued New Guidance

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

Effective, April 23, 2020, the EEOC issued new guidance to employers that permits mandatory testing of employees for the presence of the COVID-19 virus prior to entering the workplace. The EEOC issued the guidance on its FAQ, What You Should Know About COVID-19 ant the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws. In question …

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URGENT: COVID-19 Return to Work Checklist

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

This guidance is intended for planning purposes. Employers and workers should use this planning guidance to help minimize risk levels in workplace settings and to determine any appropriate control measures to implement. Posting and Policies Post the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) poster in a visible place. Where employees will remain working from home, …

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URGENT: San Francisco Public Health Emergency Leave (PHEL)

California, COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Benefits, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Leaves of Absence, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

Companies with 500 or more employees worldwide, with a presence in San Francisco, must provide 80 hours of PHEL to full-time employees and the average number of hours worked over a two-week period for part-time employees (average over the last 6 months ending 2/25). Sick Leave is available for immediate use and may be taken …

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URGENT: OSHA Poster for Reducing Workplace Exposure to Coronavirus

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

OSHA has issued a new poster listing steps all workplaces can take to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus. The poster highlights 10 infection prevention measures every employer can implement to protect workers’ safety and health during the coronavirus pandemic. Safety measures include encouraging sick workers to stay home; establishing flexible worksites and staggered …

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Monthly Compliance Calendar Alert – Keep Your Company Compliant in April: Time-Off from Work, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

If you’re in HR, you’re no stranger to compliance management, forms, and deadlines—though keeping them all in order may be a different story. We want to be sure you’re equipped with the right information to keep everything on track year after year, from ACA to FLSA. That’s why we put together the HR compliance calendar …

Monthly Compliance Calendar Alert – Keep Your Company Compliant in April: Time-Off from Work, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Read More »

URGENT: Coronavirus Emergency Loans for Small Businesses

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

The economic consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic are hitting small businesses especially hard as customers practice social distancing, states enact forced closures, and events get canceled. As small businesses continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal government will offer low-interest disaster loans of up to 2 million dollars. Click …

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URGENT: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

On Friday, March 27, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The new law is a $2 trillion economic stimulus package designed to repair the economic damage caused by COVID-19 and provide additional protection to individuals and businesses who may lose income due to the pandemic. While most of …

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URGENT: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Clarifications & Frequently Asked Questions – UPDATED

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

The much-anticipated Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was officially signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020. Employers with less than 500 employees should be ready to implement emergency paid sick leave and provide for FMLA leave under certain circumstances relating to COVID-19 as early as April 1, 2020. Click below to …

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URGENT: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice – Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

Posters Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Federal Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Per the DOL: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice – Frequently Asked Questions Where do …

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Well-being Ideas for Remote Employees

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

In order to have a healthy business in the current environment, it’s important to look out for the health and well-being of your employees, including their mental health. This can be especially difficult as your employees begin to work from home while the risk of the Coronavirus is present. Unaddressed depression in the workplace (or, …

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How To Get Financial Help Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

We at Guardian know that employers have many questions about resources in these unprecedented times. To that end, we have compiled a list of links for various sources of financial help and other information. We will continue to pass along information as it becomes available. The government has set up Benefits.gov, which walks users through …

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DHS Allows Remote Review of Form I-9s During COVID-19 Emergency

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Forms and Policies, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it is temporarily relaxing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification document review requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Employers whose employees are working remotely to limit physical proximity during the national emergency will be permitted to review their employees’ identity and employment authorization documents remotely. Employers are …

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URGENT: CAL Warn Suspended and Modified

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

With many restaurants forced to close and numerous other businesses facing the prospect of laying off workers in response to the economic fallout from COVID-19, employers have to give careful attention to potential notice obligations under the federal WARN Act and its state equivalent, Cal-WARN. WARN and Cal-WARN require employers to give 60-day advance notice …

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URGENT: Employer Information when a shelter-in-place/stay-at-home order is issued

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

What actions do I have a take as an Employer if a shelter-in-place/stay-at-home is issued? Unless an essential service such as a grocery store, pharmacy, gas station, etc., employers must abide by these orders and keep employees at home. This is a matter of both employee and public safety and OSHA regulations demand that employers …

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URGENT: Coronavirus Bill Passes

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

The Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18, 2020, an economic stimulus plan aimed at addressing the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Americans and introducing paid sick leave and an expanded family and medical leave act to the nation’s employers. An earlier version of this Act (H.R. 6201) was previously …

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Pandemic Triggers New ADA Rules

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

May an employer send employees home if they display influenza-like symptoms during a pandemic? Yes. During a pandemic, how much information may an employer request from employees who report feeling ill at work or who call in sick? Employers may ask employees if they are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, such as fever or chills and a …

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The Emergency Coronavirus Bill: What Employers Need to Know Regarding the Legislative Response to COVID-19

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

This email is being provided as a courtesy to Guardian HR clients in attempts to keep you as up to date as possible on employment law and the coronavirus. Please note these matters are subject to change and our staff are working extra diligently to keep you posted on all developments as they occur. During …

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URGENT: Coronavirus 2020 Q&A – Update

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics, Federal Updates, Safety, State & Federal Employment Law Updates / By

As the new strain of coronavirus—and the respiratory illness it causes, known as COVID-19—spreads, employers nationwide are finding themselves faced with a myriad of questions. With progress of this disease constantly evolving, employer guidance is also changing on a very frequent basis. The White House, the Department of Labor (DOL), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission …

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URGENT: Coronavirus 2020 Q&A

COVID-19/Coronavirus, Employee Management, Employment Law & HR Topics / By

Please see our “Communicable Diseases – How to Handle” and “Communicable Diseases Policy” for further reference. What is a coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A novel coronavirus …

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