Daily COVID-19 Employer Updates
Murphy Austin realizes that our clients' first priority is the well-being of their employees and families. This page provides links to updates with important new information pertaining to coronavirus in the context of employment law. Topics include wage and hour issues, equal employment obligations, and new Congressional measures.
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New EDD Guidance on Mass Layoffs and Closures
April 3, 2020
This update focuses on recent guidance from EDD regarding how the Governor's temporary suspension of the 60-day notice requirement from Cal-WARN is to be applied.
Retirement Plan Provisions of CARES Act
April 2, 2020
This update focuses on the retirement plan provisions of the CARES Act, signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion stimulus and relief statute with several measures to help individuals and businesses cope with the economic issues resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
New Guidance from DOL about Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA
April 1, 2020
This update will focus on another round of guidance from the Department of Labor (DOL) about implementing these two new leave entitlements.
Employee Health and Safety
March 31, 2020
This update shares updated guidance about what to do if employees are sick and how to know when sick employees can safely return to work.
HR Legalcast Podcast: Four Things Employer Should Know About COVID-19 Heading Into April
March 30, 2020
This is a special edition of Aaron B. Silva’s employment law podcast, HR Legalcast, focused on four things that employers need to know about COVID-19, including: the new leave laws and employee notification requirements; guidance for employers with employees who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus; and information about tax credits.
How to Claim the New Tax Credits
March 30, 2020
This update focuses on new guidance for employers wishing to take advantage of some of the tax credits being offered in recent federal legislation implemented to address COVID-19.
Insurance Coverage
March 27, 2020 (2 of 2)
This update focuses on insurance coverage relevant to an employer. Insurance may play a key role in insulating businesses from labor-related losses, as well as other COVID-19 induced harm.
Mandatory Labor Department Posting For Employers With Under 500 Employees
March 27, 2020 (1 of 2)
Last week, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA"), which creates new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave obligations for employers with less than 500 employees. The law also requires covered employers to post a notice about the FFCRA in a conspicuous place on its premises.
Department of Labor Guidance on New Leave Law
March 26, 2020
This update focuses on new guidance for employers implementing the new federal sick leave and paid FMLA leave law.
Requirements for Layoffs and Reduced Schedules
March 25, 2020
This update will focus on issues employers may face when deciding whether to reduce employee hours or lay employees off.
In-Service Distributions, Hardship Distributions, and Loans from Retirement Plans
March 24, 2020
Many businesses have shortened hours or are closed all together due to government directives. This update summarizes the features that plans may have allowing employees early access to retirement plan money to help them through the economic struggles resulting from not working or a loss of hours.
Employer Layoff Notice Requirements for COVID-19
March 23, 2020
This update focuses on employer layoff notice requirements for COVID-19, based on recent changes to CalWARN, the California counterpart to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ("WARN") provisions.
Summary of Emergency Leave Law
March 20, 2020
This update focuses on the new Emergency Federal Sick Leave and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions.
Pay Replacement For Workers Who Miss Work
March 19, 2020
This update discusses various state benefit programs administered by the Employment Development Department ("EDD") that employees can possibly utilize if they are unable to work for a variety of reasons.
ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer Guidance During a Pandemic
March 18, 2020
This update provides guidance to help employers manage their obligation to provide a safe and healthy place of employment without violating their obligations under applicable equal opportunity laws.
Proper Pay and Leave Practices
March 17, 2020
This update discusses some of the wage and hour issues that can arise when dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cal/OSHA Coronavirus Guidance
March 16, 2020
This update provides guidance to employers related to Cal/OSHA recommendations for how businesses and employers should respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.