Effective today, December 11, 2020, the State of Minnesota will start processing and allowing unemployment compensation applications from high school students. While state law has not allowed high school students unemployment compensation since 1998, the Minnesota Court of Appeals recently held that they are eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). This is federal monies as
DOL Clarifies Families First Coronavirus Response Act Paid Leave Requirements
On September 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division revised the paid leave provisions (including sick leave and expanded family and medical leave) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). As a reminder, the paid leave requirements under the FFCRA are (currently) set to expire on December 31, 2020.
DOL Issues Guidance Regarding Time Off Under FFCRA Due to Summer Camp Closure Due to COVID-19
On June 26, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2020-4, addressing employee paid leave under the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to care for a child whose summer camp, enrichment or other program is closed due to COVID-19. The FFCRA allows an employee up to 10 weeks
Minnesota Employers Must Now Notify Employees to Apply for Unemployment
Minnesota employers should be aware that, pursuant to Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-29, effective April 6, 2020 until December 31, 2020, Minnesota employers “must notify separated employees that they can apply for unemployment insurance benefits.” In addition, the executive order confirms that there is no longer a waiting week for unemployment compensation, and that
DOL Issues Temporary Rule for FFCRA
The U.S. Department of Labor just issued its Temporary Rule regarding its interpretation of Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). 29 C.F.R. Part 826. I’m still digesting this and the IRS guidance (I just blogged about) so stay tuned. For now, the link above will get you to the Rule.
IRS Issues Detailed FAQ Regarding COVID-19 Leave and Form 7200
The IRS has finally issued much-awaited FAQ on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Notably, the IRS has taken a much stricter interpretation of the FFCRA than many practitioners (including me!) were when attempting to interpret the law without any guidance. I highly encourage businesses to review the website and FAQ – because the FFCRA
DOL Issues Employee Rights Notice Poster for FFCRA
The DOL has finally issued the poster that employers must post notifying employee of their rights under the FFCRA in both English and Spanish. This must be posted and kept posted, “in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees are customarily posted.” This requirement can be met, however, by
How to Determine Whether Your Small Business Is Exempt from the FFCRA
On Saturday, March 28, the U.S. Department of Labor updated its Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers. While this is still not the regulations that we are all waiting for, it does provide compliance assistance to employers until the regulations are issued. I’ll write about more issues later, but probably the single
How to Determine Whether Your Business Is A Critical Business and Exempt from the Minnesota Stay-At-Home Order
Wow – how fast things can change in a day! Following up to my post yesterday, as all of Minnesota is well aware now, Governor Walz issued his Stay-At-Home Executive Order 20-20 effective March 27 at 11:59 pm to April 10, 2020. I’ve barely had time to write this post as I’ve been on the
Keeping Employees Working: Is Your Business In a Critical Infrastructure Sector?
As Wisconsin’s Governor Evers has issued a “Safer At Home Order“, Minnesota businesses are scrambling to determine whether, in the event Governor Walz issues a similar executive order, their employees will be exempt from such order. Why does this matter? It allows employers to keep employees working (to an extent) and require that