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 […]
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 […]
Wisconsin Issues Emergency Order #12: Safer at Home
Effective March 25,2020 at 8am: The Evers Administration signs Emergency Order (EO) #12, Safer at Home. A summary of the EO is included in this article.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Effective April 1, 2020
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was enacted on March 18, 2020 and takes effect on April 1, 2020. Two major provisions of the FFCRA address paid leaves designed to assist American workers and families facing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal Tips for Managing Hourly, Non-Exempt Employees Working Remotely
As employers are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, many are mandating or allowing employees to work from home (WFH). Included are some legal tips for employers as you navigate what might be unchartered waters for managing non-exempt staff.
Have an Informed and Measured Response to COVID-19
On behalf of your partners at Lake Effect HR & Law, we hope that your team continues to be safe and healthy amidst the threat of COVID-19. We want to share with you our recommendations for having an informed and measured response to COVID-19 as employers and co-workers.
Employers: Include NYC Independent Contractors in Your Anti-Harassment Training
Under the recently expanded New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), employers must include independent contractors in their sexual harassment training. This is a major shift in how independent contractors are generally treated. Employers should include an appropriate disclaimer before providing anti-harassment training to an independent contractor to clarify that the training does not change […]
The ADA: Understanding Your Obligations
As HR professionals, we take a lead role in making sure our workplace policies and practices are both compliant and ethical. We need to make sure our managers are operating under the same guidelines. One area where a high level of risk may be lurking is in responding to employee performance issues, concerns and requests […]
