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On April 1, 2020, the DOL issued its regulations on the paid leave provision of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (i.e., the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act).  While there is a lot to digest in the rule, the most significant aspect is the definition of and…

As the paid leave provisions of the FFCRA take effect today, many employers are asking what information they should maintain so they can claim the tax credits that are available to pay for this leave.  Luckily, the IRS has come to the rescue describing the information that should be maintained.  The Service’s guidance explains that:…

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed and the President signed, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Act appropriated $2 Trillion to preserve and stimulate the U.S. economy during the Coronavirus crisis. In addition to important economic relief provided to individual tax payers and government backed loans and grants to especially hard…

On March 26, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor published a Field Assistance Bulletin and additional answers to what it anticipates are Frequently Asked Questions about the FFCRA’ s posting obligations.

The Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2020-1 announced that the Department would take a nonenforcement position during the first 30 days when the Act is…

This morning the government reported a record number of new unemployment benefit claims: 3.283 Million new claims.  Meanwhile, based on directive from Governor Abbott last week, the Texas Workforce Commission Unemployment Division is waiving the seven day waiting period for receipt of unemployment benefits and temporarily suspending the work search requirements for unemployment eligibility.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act that provides emergency paid leave and expanded FMLA rights to employees of small and mid-sized employers requires covered employer to post notice of rights and responsibilities under the Act in the workplace.  The U.S. DOL has posted model posters employers can use and post in conspicuous places where employees…

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:

    1. How do I know if my business is under the 500-employee threshold for coverage?
    2. How does a small

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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,…