When the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed, it was to take effect within 15 days of March 18, 2020. Most assumed that the Act, thus, was effective on April 2, 2020. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the effective date of the Act will be April 1, 2020 (not an April
News & Commentary
DOL Publishes FAQ on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The U.S. Department of Labor published Questions and Answers on the soon-to-be effective Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. The new guidance offers guidance on some important questions such as:
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- How do I know if my business is under the 500-employee threshold for coverage?
- How does a small
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[Breaking] City of Fort Worth Issues Disaster Declaration Closing all Non-essential Businesses for COVID-19
Beginning at 6:00 p.m. March 21, 2020, the City of Fort Worth has amended is Emergency Disaster Declaration closing all non-essential businesses.
Non-Essential Businesses Closed by the Emergency Declaration
The following are identified as non-essential businesses: bars, lounges, taverns, commercial amusement and entertainment establishments, bingo halls, theaters, gyms, fitness classes, yoga and personal training facilities,…
Federal Government Requires Small and Mid-Size Employees Provide Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Paid FMLA Leave for Public Health Emergencies
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Corona Virus Response Act. The Families First Act requires small and midsized employers to provide paid sick leave benefits and expanded FMLA leave to employees needing time away from work due to COVID-19 reasons. While the Act provide others benefits, the FMLA Expansion Act and…
EEOC Updates ADA Pandemic Guidance for COVID-19
The EEOC updated its employer guidance for handling common employment issues that arise during pandemics to specifically address issues related to COVID-19. The new guidance provide useful answers to many frequently asked questions employers have during this difficult time including:
- How much information may an employer request from an employee who calls in sick, in
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House Passes Bill to Amend FMLA for COVID-19 Related Leaves of Absence
On March 14, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and Emergency Paid Leave Act of 2020. The Bills, if passed by the Senate, will provide: paid sick leave and unemployment benefits to employees taking leave as a result of COVID-19; expand FMLA eligibility and qualifying reasons for taking…
San Antonio Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Postponed until December 1, 2019
In a compromise between the City of San Antonio and a coalition of local San Antonio employers that sued to block the implementation of the new paid sick leave ordinance, the City agreed to postpone the effective date of the ordinance from August 1, 2019 until December 1, 2019. The state district judge hearing…
San Antonio Paid Sick Leave Law Scheduled to Take Effect August 1, 2019
Barring legal action and an injunction, employers that have an employee performing at least 80 hours per year in San Antonio should be prepared to comply with City’s new paid sick leave ordinance beginning on August 1, 2019. Here are the highlights of the law:
- Requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide 1
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Guide to New EEO-1 Pay and Hour Reporting
Employers with 100 or more employees and certain federal contractors have been required to submit EEO-1 reports, identifying the number of employees working in each job category by race, sex and ethnicity, since 1996. In 2016, under the Obama administration, the EEOC proposed revisions to the information required to be reported each year on the…
City of Dallas Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Scheduled to Take Effect August 1, 2019
The City of Dallas passed a paid sick leave ordinance requiring private employers to provide up to 64 hours of paid sick leave to employees working in the City. Barring court intervention, the law will take effect August 1, 2019. Here are the highlights of the ordinance:
- Requires employers with 15 or more employees to
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