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Employer’s Guide to Key Provisions of the CARES Act

By on March 30, 2020 in COVID-19

Last Friday, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or “the Act”).  The two trillion-dollar relief package includes expanded unemployment assistance for workers, relief loans (with strings attached) for businesses, payroll tax credits and deferrals, and modifications on employees’ ability to access retirement savings accounts.  This article […]

Round 3 – DOL Issues Additional Guidance on COVID-19-Related Leave

By on March 30, 2020 in COVID-19, FMLA, Paid Leave

The Department of Labor has answered additional questions regarding the expanded family and medical leave (EFMLA) and emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) mandated by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  Here are the highlights: What documentation is required?  (FAQ 15-16) We previously explained that the DOL in its second Q&A update set forth the types […]

COVID-19 and Maryland Unemployment

By on March 27, 2020 in COVID-19, Unemployment Insurance

A record 3.3 million people applied for unemployment last week, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report. The sky-high numbers are no surprise as the COVID-19 pandemic forces employers to make difficult decisions about how to cease, suspend, or continue operations under extraordinary circumstances. The State of Maryland recently relaxed its standards for benefit […]

Maryland Child Care Providers Not Registered To Serve Essential Personnel Ordered Closed By End Of Today

By on March 27, 2020 in COVID-19

The latest announcement in a series of confusing directives for Maryland child care centers came late yesterday when the State  Superintendent ordered all child care centers other than those serving essential workers to shut down after today, Friday March 27, 2020. Just 4 days ago, the State issued Interpretive Guidance of its March 19, 2010 […]

COVID-19 and the ADA

By on March 26, 2020 in Agency Activity, COVID-19, Disability & Leave

The EEOC issued on March 19, 2020 an FAQ entitled What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19 that contains important guidance for employers adjusting to the new reality presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act continue to apply, they do not […]

Hot Off The Press – New Paid Leave Notice Posters

By on March 25, 2020 in COVID-19, FMLA, Paid Leave

The Department of Labor has released its Families First Coronavirus Response Act posters.  There are two posters: Employee Rights:  Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under the FFCRA and Federal Employee Rights:  Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under the FFCRA Remember to print and post the applicable notice […]

DOL Q&A On Families First Coronavirus Response Act

By on March 25, 2020 in COVID-19, FMLA, Paid Leave

The Department of Labor has issued guidance in the form of a Q&A regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The DOL has also issued a Field Assistance Bulletin regarding the “temporary non-enforcement period.” The guidance provides some clarification regarding the new leave law, including:  Effective Date:  The paid leave provisions are effective April 1, […]

A Non-COVID 19 Blogpost

By on March 21, 2020 in State Law

Most attention in recent days, justifiably so, has been on responses to the coronavirus.  While employers are navigating the business, health, and safety issues raised by the pandemic, they should not lose sight of changes to Maryland’s employment laws that the General Assembly passed in concluding the recent, abbreviated legislative session. Here is a summary […]