One vehicle that may be used to replenish the RRF program is the $3.5 trillion budget bill, which Majority Leader Schumer plans to pass without republican support through the budget reconciliation process. The framework for that budget bill was unveiled last week in the Senate and it includes penalties on employers deemed to be interfering…
Read More »Last week, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued updated guidance on preventing COVID-19 in the workplace. The guidance, entitled Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of Covid-19 in the workplace, is meant to help employers protect (1) unvaccinated employees (including people who are not fully vaccinated) or otherwise at-risk employees, including those who are immunocompromised,…
Read More »The Big Apple and San Francisco are leading the charge to require vaccine “passports” in order to dine indoor at restaurants within the two cities. The New York dictate actually became effective this past Monday, August 16 however, formal enforcement is not set to begin until September 13. In response to the Executive Order by…
Read More »Notwithstanding the economic realities of the ongoing labor shortage and the BLS data showing wages exceeding $15 per hour in supermarkets and restaurants across the country, advocates continue to push. In Nebraska, a host of community organizations announced the launch of Raise the Wage Nebraska, a 2022 ballot initiative campaign that would increase the current…
Read More »At least on the issues of a $15 minimum wage and paid family leave, there are few, if any, discernible differences between resigned former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and his replacement, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. Notwithstanding Hochul’s promises to be different from her disgraced predecessor, she praised Cuomo’s “strong legacy of accomplishment” and went…
Read More »As referenced above, BLS data now shows many industry-average wages exceeding the $15 per hour mark. Additionally, as we approach the September expiration of the unemployment premium benefit that is keeping many from returning to work, further data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a week ago shows there were 10.1 million job openings…
Read More »Earlier this month, Starbucks announced that it will increase the starting wage for its baristas in all stores to $12 an hour beginning in October. The company had previously announced plans for the across-the-board increase to take place in January, but pointed to better than expected performance to justify the early increases. Elsewhere, two baristas…
Read More »Hampered by the coronavirus pandemic and the impact that COVID fears have had on attendance at in-person meetings for most organizations, the Small Business Administration will host its annual Small Business Week Summit virtually again this year. The 2021 SBA Small Business Summit will take place from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM ET on September…
Read More »The DDIFO National Conference has been an annual event the Dunkin’ franchise owner community has always looked forward to and supported. From the opening cocktail reception to our business members’ sponsorships and exhibits, to the Annual DDIFO Hall of Fame Induction luncheon, the National Conference always seemed to be a highlight for all involved. After…
Read More »One of the perhaps more impactful provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was released by Senators this past Sunday would end the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) as of September 30. The ERTC is a refundable tax credit equal to 50% of payroll-related costs up to a maximum credit of $5,000 per employee for…
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