Late Saturday, March 28, 2020, the United States Department of Labor updated, for the third time in less than a week, its guidance on the implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) paid leave provisions. The most recent guidance, among other updates, addresses two issues that have previously been unclear and will have broad implications for both small employers and those employers in the health care industry. As we have said in previous …

Late on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor released a second round of guidance for employers to answer additional questions about the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The following is a brief recap of some additional questions answered in the new guidance. However, for more information, you can download the guidance here. Employer Record Keeping For employees taking leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave…

The COVID-19 pandemic has made decision-making for employers feel urgent. Each headline of new cases and new restrictions screams “action”; however, perspective and thoughtfulness are qualities that will serve us all well as we navigate daily challenges. Our firm is part of Interlaw, Ltd. — a group of law firms from around the world that helps each other, both in times of need for our clients or otherwise. To that end, Interlaw sponsored a…

Late on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) released its first guidance for employers attempting to navigate the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). Because the DOL has yet to issue any regulations to implement the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (“EPSLA”) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (“EFMLEA”), the guidance addresses some of the questions that have arisen since the law’s passage. The…

To our valued clients and friends. We are providing an interim update on Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7H regarding new severe restrictions on workplaces for “non-essential businesses” issued last evening and effective Monday, March 23, 2020 at 8:00p.m. Since the announcement of the Governor’s “Stay Safe – Stay Home” initiative, we have been working with clients to assist them in obtaining confirmation from the government that their operations are (or should be) considered “essential”, thereby…

On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed House Bill 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) into law. The law takes effect on April 2, 2020, and remains in effect until December 31, 2020. The FFCRA amends portions of the FMLA while also providing for paid sick leave in limited cases. Because of the speed of passage as well as implementation, even the basics of the law can seem confusing to some. We have fielded…

On March 16, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed “corrections” to House Bill No. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The new version of the bill will come as a relief to many employers because it removes or restricts many of the paid leave provisions established in the original bill. Like the original bill, the revised bill takes effect no later than 15 days after the bill is signed into law by the President.…