UPDATED 4/30/20:
On April 27th, Governor Mike DeWine announced a plan to re-open Ohio businesses that were closed by the stay-at-home order. The return to business (and work) will occur in phases. The Governor stressed that the five critical protocols, available here, for all businesses getting back to work are: (1) require face coverings
The Department of Labor (DOL) issued two guidance letters this past weekend clarifying the unemployment compensation expansion of the CARES Act, which was passed on March 27, 2020. The guidance letters direct state unemployment and workforce agencies to cover workers who normally do not qualify for unemployment compensation through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program
The Department of Labor answered more questions expanding its Q&As on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), here.
What documents may be required for leave for closure of a school or place of care?
Website notice, letter from the childcare provider, government notice closing the school, or newspaper article
What if the employee
UPDATED 4/3/20: Regulations were issued and, as of April 3, banks are accepting applications for loans. Funds will be issued through June 30 or until the money appropriated is exhausted.
Phase 3 of the coronavirus relief is expected to be passed and signed into law on Friday, March 27. It is titled the Coronavirus Aid,
UPDATED 3/30/20: The Department of Labor released some guidance on the upcoming paid leave for COVID-19 absences. There is a fact sheet for employees, fact sheet for employers, and Q&As.
How do employers calculate the 500-employee threshold?
The 500 employee count is done on the date an employee tries to use the
As of midnight on Tuesday, March 24, all non-essential businesses are ordered closed, and citizens in Ohio are instructed to stay at home until at least April 6, 2020. There are exceptions to this Order, and the exceptions seem to swallow the rule.
Employers in essential businesses are supposed to maintain “minimum basic operations”
In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many employers are shifting to telework for employees who are able to do so. Even though it provides the employees and the workplace with added protection against the spread of the coronavirus, it is not without risk. Below are a few risks that employers allowing or requiring employees
Paid Leave Bill Passed by House and Senate
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201) just passed Congress with bipartisan support and was signed by President Trump on March 18th. Some changes were made from the original version I reported on in my blog on Monday morning, which is available here.
Temporary FMLA
UPDATED 3/16/20: The Department of Labor issued new guidance for employers handling issues related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
OSHA/Safety
OSHA has information available to employers related to infection prevention and safety, available here. Notably, that guidance includes much of the information we are already aware of about “social distancing” (keeping approximately 6 feet
With the global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), employers are scrambling to plan for the possible implications on the workplace. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Below are nine considerations for employers, for which each employer must determine what best fits its workforce and business. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has interim guidance for