What is the program? The Shared Work Program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Labor (“CTDOL”). It is designed to save jobs and retain workers by offering an alternative to layoffs. It allows employers to temporarily reduce an employee’s hours and supplement lost wages with partial unemployment benefits. What are the requirements? Employers must have at least two permanent part or full-time employees. Participation should be in lieu of layoffs and not used for…

As the Coronavirus continues to spread nationwide, we recognize that health care providers and other organizations (“Organizations”) are dealing with the virus on the “front lines.” We have provided the following advice for the many growing concerns surrounding your Organizations. Privacy Considerations for Health Care Providers Organizations need to ensure that they continue to observe legal and ethical obligations with respect to the privacy of patients, colleagues and employees including, but not limited to, their…

Last night, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7H which requires all non-essential businesses to reduce their in-person workforce by 100% on or before 8pm on Monday, March 23, 2020 through April 22, 2020, unless the Order is subsequently modified. Executive Order 7H specifically states that businesses must, to the maximum extent safely possible, use telecommuting and work-from-home practices. Executive Order 7H designates that essential businesses are not subject to the in-person workforce reduction. Such essential…

Yesterday, March 18, 2020, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, that provides many American workers up to 12 weeks of paid FMLA leave and two weeks of paid sick leave for certain reasons related to COVID-19. Employers are required to pay these amounts to eligible employees, and employers would be eligible for a tax credit on the amounts paid. We have included below some basic information on…

First and foremost, we hope everyone is doing well and taking all appropriate measures to safeguard the health and safety of employees, clients, visitors and others with whom you do business. You should be closely monitoring developments at the national, state and local level, communicating with your employees regularly, and making necessary adjustments in how you conduct your business. That is what we are doing at Carmody. We know that many of you have received…

Dear Clients, We have heard from many of you about the ever-changing employment issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it is having on your businesses. We are grateful that you have turned to us for advice and guidance, and we will continue to be here for you. We have prepared a separate e-alert on our suggestions on what employers should do now. We also sent an e-alert recently to our school clients,…