Last week, President Biden encouraged employers to pay employees for time off to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and highlighted the tax credits available for employers with less than 500 employees. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) signed by the President on March 11, 2021 continued the tax credits available under the Families First
FFCRA
The American Rescue Plan Extends FFCRA Tax Credit, But Not the Mandate
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Plan”). The Plan is the most recent stimulus bill enacted to address the COVID-19 pandemic and it comes almost one year to the date the first COVID relief bill containing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was passed.
The…
Join Us! Annual Disability & Leave Management Symposium: Leave it to Us
When it comes to disability and leave management, the past year has been one HR hurricane after another. Everything is different, including our Annual Disability & Leave Management Symposium. We know you are as frustrated as we are. We wanted to have an old fashioned, in-person conference, but in the interest of social distancing we’ve…
DOL Strikes Back: Redefines Health Care Provider Exception to FFCRA
By Patricia Anderson Pryor on
Last month a New York federal court left health care providers in a lurch, when it vacated the Department of Labor’s definition of who could be exempted as a health care provider from the FFCRA leave obligations. Thankfully, the DOL has stepped back in to provide further clarity on this issue, providing revisions and clarifications…
DOL Strikes Back: FFCRA Temporary Rule Is Revised
By Patricia Anderson Pryor on
The Department of Labor has issued revisions and clarifications to its FFCRA Temporary Rule in response to the New York federal court’s decision vacating some of the provisions of the earlier version of the Rule.
Summary of Revisions.
In its revised rule and clarifications, the DOL:
- reaffirms that the emergency paid sick leave and expanded
…
School’s Back (Or Is It)! When Can Your Employees Take FFCRA Leave?
By Sheri L. Giger on
For many, the start of school looks different this year: from all virtual, to hybrid, to parent’s choice. Employers required to provide leave under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Act (“FFCRA”) may be wondering how to administer FFCRA leave under this new regime.
Not to be out-classed, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued new…
New York District Court Vacates Parts of FFCRA Regulations Including Healthcare Provider Definition
By Patricia Anderson Pryor on
Shortly after the Department of Labor issued its FFCRA regulations, the state of New York filed a lawsuit challenging some of the provisions. Today (four months after the regulations went into effect, and just five months before the FFCRA is set to expire), the federal district court in New York struck down four provisions in…
DOL Issues Additional Clarification on FMLA, FFCRA, FLSA in COVID-19 Context
By Sheri L. Giger on
The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently issued additional clarification on its FAQs and guidance regarding the FMLA and the FFCRA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some highlights include:
Telemedicine Visits Are “In-Person” Visits with a Healthcare Provider under the FMLA
Telemedicine visits (those medical appointments that are conducted by remote video conference…
Summer Break Does Not Necessarily Mean A Break From FFCRA Leave Requirements
By Patricia Anderson Pryor on
Its July. A time when in normal years, schools are closed and families are planning vacations. But in 2020, paid vacation is being replaced with paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), leaving employers asking, can they still do that?!
For public employers and employers with less than 500 employees, the FFCRA…