Over three years have passed since the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency in January of 2020. We have come a long way from the time of businesses being closed and mandatory quarantine periods. While we faced one of the most challenging times for...
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has withdrawn its vaccine-or-test Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for employers with 100 or more employees. This is the official end of the ETS—employers do not need to comply with it. OSHA is still proceeding with a permanent COVID standard...
Heads up, employers. Just as we thought the COVID-19 pandemic was turning a corner, mask mandates are making a comeback. Eight states have recently announced all are required to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Those states are: California Hawaii Illinois Nevada New Mexico New York Oregon, and Washington Puerto Rico also has a...
We have under 100 employees and are not required to mandate the COVID vaccine. We’re considering doing so anyway, but we’re also interested in other ways of encouraging our employees to get vaccinated. What incentives have been most effective? Incentives are a good idea if you...
We are actively monitoring for the details of President Biden's COVID action plan about Mandatory COVID Vaccinations for Private Employers. The aspects of this new plan that affect HR and how you run your business will come from DOL rules called Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS),...
On Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, President Joe Biden signed executive orders requiring federal workers and contractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Biden also directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to draft a new emergency rule requiring all businesses with 100 or more employees...
The IRS released an updated Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19, on May 18, 2021. The form was developed so employers could get new tax credit refunds paid in advance. IRS Note: At the time Form 7200 and these instructions went to...
In early May, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it has stopped taking new PPP loan applications from most lenders due to the general fund for PPP loans being out of money. The agency will continue to process outstanding loan applications as it has set...
The Small Business Administration, in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association are promoting new funding for the restaurant/bar sector. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is a program that targets relief to restaurants and bars adversely impacted by Covid-19. To qualify, a place of business has to be...
You can ask employees for proof that they’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine, but you need to be careful about how you ask for it and what you do with the information. You should ask employees to provide proof that only includes their name, the date of...