Some weeks ago, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a new guidance essentially authorizing in general that employers may require their workers get a COVID-19 vaccine. “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws,” answers questions about the legal parameters of such a mandate in the context…
Read More »The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued its long-awaited Final Rule addressing who may share tips under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the circumstances under which employers may use a tip credit. It will become effective on March 1, 2021, 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The Final Rule implements a 2018 amendment…
Read More »As the New Year arrived one week ago, so too did higher minimum wages in over three dozen state and local jurisdictions. The following 20 states along with 32 cities and counties raised their minimum wage on January 1: Arizona: $12.15; Alaska: $10.34; Arkansas: $11; California: $14 for large employers, $13 for small employers; Colorado:…
Read More »One week ago, the White House budget office wrapped up its review of a rule that would make more workers qualify as “independent contractors” under federal law. The completion of the OMB review generally signals that the final rule will be published soon in the Federal Register. The proposed version of the rule would create…
Read More »President-elect Joseph Biden named two elected officials from New England to his Cabinet yesterday with the appointments of Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo as incoming Commerce Secretary and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh as Secretary of Labor. Both positions will require Senate confirmation. In her 6th year as governor of the Ocean State and the first…
Read More »Apparently incapable of recognizing the unprecedented difficulties that fast food franchisees are facing throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic, New York City seems intent on adding misery to misery. Just before the Christmas holiday, the New York City Council passed a pair of bills targeting franchised fast food chains. The first – and perhaps…
Read More »Congressional leaders indicated that a COVID-19 relief package was “close, but not yet final” yesterday as they worked on reaching compromise language on a few outstanding issues. The situation however is very fluid with a host of issues potentially addressed – or created – by the legislation. That said, there is no actual legislative language…
Read More »Although it may have seemed to be the ultimate longshot at times, Senate Finance Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) is hopeful of adding expiring tax breaks (aka tax extenders) to the omnibus appropriations bill and COVID-19 relief package coming together this week. Senator Grassley said the must-pass nature of COVID relief in particular increases the likelihood…
Read More »The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which managed the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) as well as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) among other loan programs, released detailed information about both EIDL and PPP earlier this month in accordance with a court order. The programs, both of which were designated in early March to…
Read More »As this is the last Small Regular No Sugar before the New Year, we want to again remind you to be aware that many laws and business requirements will change with the turn of the calendar. Toward that end, be aware that a number of changes will occur in California employment law on January 1,…
Read More »