COVID-19

Discussions of laws and regulations related to the workplace and coronavirus, quarantine and COVID-19 in the Employee Rights Reporter, the blog provided by Sass Law Firm’s employment attorneys.

Picture of black chalk board for COBRA Consolidated Omnibus Budge Reconciliation Act COVID employer subsidy

Update on Employer Paid COBRA Subsidy

We have previously published a blog, found here, about the American Rescue Plan Act that requires employers to pay 100% subsidy of COBRA premiums for the period of April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 for involuntarily terminated employees who elect coverage. At the time, there were still questions that remained about ARPA. The IRS […]

Update on Employer Paid COBRA Subsidy Read More »

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Five Florida Unemployment Changes Fast Approaching

Pandemic Unemployment Benefits  If you are receiving the additional $300 pandemic-related unemployment benefits, changes are coming that will impact you. As we previously addressed in our prior blog on this topic, states could opt in to the Federal unemployment benefits program to provide unemployed workers affected by the pandemic with an additional $300 per week

Five Florida Unemployment Changes Fast Approaching Read More »

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You may be entitled to expanded pandemic unemployment benefits!

The DOL recently expanded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) eligibility to include three additional COVID-19 related reasons an individual could use to qualify for the benefit. PUA provides unemployment benefits to individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment compensation, including workers who ran out of benefits, are self-employed (including independent contractors or gig workers), do not

You may be entitled to expanded pandemic unemployment benefits! Read More »

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Pandemic Leave Benefits Expired, Now What?

FFCRA Leave Entitlements Expired! The pandemic leave benefits afforded to eligible workers under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the FFCRA, officially expired December 31, 2020.  As we discussed previously in our FFCRA blogs (available here), at the onset of the pandemic, Congress enacted the FFCRA, which mandated employers to provide paid sick leave (under

Pandemic Leave Benefits Expired, Now What? Read More »

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Relief is on the way! Florida approved to provide extended unemployment benefits

The federal CARES Act allowing unemployment benefits of up to $600 per week expired on July 31, 2020.  Unfortunately, the need for these monies continues as many unemployed workers remain without jobs after July 31, 2020 because of the pandemic.  There is hope on the horizon that these workers will receive some additional unemployment benefits

Relief is on the way! Florida approved to provide extended unemployment benefits Read More »

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With schools re-opening, am I entitled to paid leave if my kids do online learning?

Right now many school districts are requiring parents to choose between returning to traditional school and online learning this upcoming 2020-2021 school year.  However, if you are working, this choice could impact your job security. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) allows eligible employees, who cannot work (including telework) because their child(ren)’s school is

With schools re-opening, am I entitled to paid leave if my kids do online learning? Read More »

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Fired because of the pandemic. Is my non-compete enforceable?

Were you recently fired because of the pandemic and wondering if the non-compete you signed is still enforceable? Don’t assume that just because you got terminated that you are free to ignore those obligations. You should know that Florida actually has a statute that says courts must enforce non-competes within certain guidelines. And, to make

Fired because of the pandemic. Is my non-compete enforceable? Read More »

Picture of blue chalkboard with FMLA Family Medical Leave Act written on it next to a stethoscope on a book and a rubber stamp on a book

New DOL Tool to Determine Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave

Are you eligible for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for pandemic related reasons to eligible employees. As the pandemic and the need for leave continues, the Department of Labor created a new tool that helps you to determine

New DOL Tool to Determine Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave Read More »

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Can I use the pandemic paid sick leave for canceled summer camp?

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), eligible workers can take up to two weeks paid sick leave, as well as expanded paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), to care for children if schools or places of care are closed due to the pandemic.  To learn more about worker eligibility,

Can I use the pandemic paid sick leave for canceled summer camp? Read More »

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