On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued updated informal guidance on COVID-19 and the federal employment laws that it enforces.  This round of guidance focused on COVID-19 vaccines and their intersection with the workplace.  With the CDC recently exempting fully vaccinated individuals from masking requirements (except where otherwise required by other federal, state, or local laws or regulations), the EEOC’s updated guidance is especially timely and important. Mandating the COVID-19 Vaccine The…

On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued the long- awaited guidance on the COBRA subsidy and premium assistance credit available under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 through eighty-six questions and answers.  The Notice addresses eligibility, reduction in hours, involuntary termination of employment, coverage eligible for premium assistance, beginning and end of the premium assistance period, extended elections, calculation of the premium assistance credit and other common questions. The bad news is the plethora…

On May 10, 2021 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Title IX’s prohibitions on discrimination based on sex include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.  “Research shows that one quarter of LGBTQ people who faced discrimination postponed or avoided receiving needed medical care for fear of further discrimination.” The clarification reverses the position of the HHS under the Trump…

On Thursday April 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor announced guidance for plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record keepers and plan participants on best practices for maintaining cybersecurity. This is the first time the Department has issued guidance on cybersecurity for employee benefit plans. The guidance includes tips for plan sponsors and fiduciaries in selecting and hiring service providers, including: Compare the service provider’s information security standards, practices and policies, and audit results to the…

The Department of Labor recently issued FAQs addressing basic questions regarding the American Rescue Plan Act’s requirement that employers and health plans subsidize COBRA between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021 for assistance eligible individuals.  In addition, the Department issued model notices which are required to be provided to certain former employees. The General Notice and Election Notice are to be used by employers who are subject to federal COBRA.  The Alternative Notice is…