EEOC Updates ADA Accommodations and EEO Reporting
On May 7, 2020, the EEOC updated an existing technical assistance publication, “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other EEO Laws.” New questions and answers on “Return to Work” address an employer’s obligations to accommodate employees with underlying medical conditions as they begin to return to the workplace […]
Updated Cobra Forms
Updated Cobra Forms On May 4, 2020, the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service jointly provided updates to the notification and elections deadlines set forth in the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) intended to protect the participants and beneficiaries in employee benefit plans during the National Emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. […]
Illinois Provides Model for Newly Required Anti-Harassment Training
On April 30, the Illinois Department of Human Rights released a model training presentation that employers can use to comply with Illinois’ new sexual harassment prevention training requirement. An employer may use this model training, or it may develop a training specifically tailored to its organization, provided that the training meets the state’s minimum legal […]
Updated Cobra Forms
Updated Cobra Forms On May 1, 2020, the Department of Labor announced updates to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) Model General Notice and Model Election Notice. The modifications provide information about Medicare as an option for employees who have lost their health insurance as a result of a qualifying event. Given the number […]
Recovery Readiness Guide For Employers
Recovery Readiness Guide For Employers As businesses prepare to reopen or resume full operations amid COVID-19, there will be new challenges and questions. No one has all the answers, but Lake Effect can help you anticipate some of the issues that are likely to arise as you reopen and/or return more employees to the worksite. […]
Emergency Order #34: Interim Order to Turn the Dial
On April 27, 2020, the Evers Administration released Emergency Order #34 entitled “Interim Order to Turn the Dial.” In this order, the administration expands slightly the permissible business operations set forth in Emergency Order #28, “Safer at Home Order.” This Order takes effect on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. While Section 14 of […]
Badger Bounce Back
On April 20, 2020, the Evers Administration released Emergency Order #31 entitled “Badger Bounce Back.” In this order, the administration sets forth a plan for a phased reopening of businesses so that Wisconsinites can get back to work. Based upon recent federal guidelines, the Badger Bounce Back plan specifies criteria that will enable Wisconsin to […]
DOL Ends Temporary Non-Enforcement of New Paid Leave Protections
As of April 21, 2020, covered employers (with fewer than 500 employees) across the country must be in full compliance with the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which became effective April 1, 2020. On April 20, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the end of the temporary period of […]
EEOC Technical Assistance Q&As Update
Last Friday, April 17, 2020, the EEOC updated its Technical Assistance Q&As about COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other EEO laws. The updated Q&As reiterate prior guidance and offer some new information. Key provisions for employers include the following: Disability-related inquiries and exams During the pandemic, employers may ask employees if they […]
Safer at Home Extended – Preparing for Your “New Normal”
In the wake of Governor Evers’ extension of Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Order until May 26th, we are all eager to return to our normal ways, but what will our normal be after the quarantines lapse? What can we learn from this experience? What do we want to carry forward as part of our “new […]
