You may have heard about the COBRA subsidy in the new stimulus bill, the American Rescue Plan Act, or Rescue Plan, which requires employers to pay the full cost of COBRA benefit premiums for former employees (and their dependents) between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. This is true, but there is some fine …
Employer Paid COBRA Subsidy, You May Be Eligible Read More »
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 »
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) prohibits interference with employees’ FMLA rights as well as employer retaliation. But failure to follow every step in your employer’s FMLA policy could cause you to lose these valuable rights. For example, does your employer require you to BOTH notify it you are taking FMLA leave by calling a designated “call-off” line …
Does your employer have a notice policy for reporting FMLA absences? You better know. Read More »
The Florida Commission of Human Relations (FCHR) formally announced that it will accept and investigate workplace discrimination complaints based upon sexual orientation and gender identity. This unprecedented move follows last years’ U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia and President Biden’s recent January 20, 2021 Executive Order committing to combat sexual orientation …
FCRA prohibits sexual orientation and gender identity/transgender discrimination Read More »
In the new age of full and partial remote work, you might be asking whether you are entitled to pay for your travel time commuting from your home office to your employer’s brick and mortar office. The answer depends. The U.S. Department of Labor recently addressed this issue in a letter in which it opined …
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 …
As you may have seen posted on our social media, the EEOC issued updated guidance on December 16, 2020, on whether an employer can force the COVID vaccination on an employee. Can your boss force you to get the vaccine when it becomes available to the public or fire you if you don’t? Employers everywhere …
If you work in Florida and are paid the minimum wage, you’ll want to start checking your paychecks soon to see if your employer is paying you the correct rate. Starting January 1, 2021, Florida’s minimum wage rate for non-tipped employees will increase by nine cents from $8.56 per hour to $8.65 per hour. This …
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 »
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 »
