UPDATED 6/17/20 with SBA interim guidance and new application
Businesses that took PPP loans now have more flexibility to spend the money than the original CARES Act and the IRS and SBA regulations permitted. More information and regulations on this new expansion should be forthcoming. The law is the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of
The CDC issued updated guidance for employers, including a user-friendly checklist for employers to prepare workplaces for return to work. Among the recommendations:
OUTDATED: Congress passed the Flexibility Act that changed many of the rules below. See this post.
The SBA issued new rules for PPP loans–most of which I already gleaned from the PPP loan forgiveness application form in my post on May 19th. Congress also is considering various proposals that would loosen many
Without advance notice or request for comment, OSHA issued a revised enforcement memo stating that it will enforce record keeping requirements as they apply to confirmed, work-related COVID-19 illness.
A COVID-19 case must be recorded on the OSHA 300 log if:
OUTDATED: Congress passed the Flexibility Act that changed many of the rules below. See this post.
On May 15, 2020, the SBA released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application form, available here. Borrowers should use this form upon completion of the eight-week period covered by the loan forgiveness.
Some previously
Governor Mike DeWine announced a new list of business openings to come. The current timeline for the phased reopening of Ohio is as follows:
OUTDATED: Congress passed the Flexibility Act that changed many of the rules below. See this post.
UPDATED 5/14/20:
Borrowers receiving PPP loan funds under the CARES Act have until May 14, 2020 to return those funds, without penalty, if they no longer qualify for the funds or no longer want them. How might
Many employers are busy worrying about declining revenue, stay-at-home government mandates, and keeping employees safe. Most have not considered the impact that changes imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic might have on their employee benefits.
Dependent care FSAs
Many employees experienced recent closures in their children’s schools and day cares. Employees that enrolled in dependent care
With a global pandemic comes wage and hour considerations that may not have been issues for employers pre-pandemic.
(1) Business expenses
With employees working remotely, workers are incurring necessary business expenses related to Internet access, print cartridges, personal cell phones, data plans, paper, and other equipment. In addition, even employee-provided face coverings (when required) and
The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS) created a website for employers to report false claims of unemployment, available here. Employers should report to ODJFS any employees: (1) to which they offered work that the employee refused, (2) that refused to report back to work, or (3) that quit upon an offer