COVID-19
Federal Relief Bill – The Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) are now accepting applications and employers should apply immediately given the widespread interest in the programs. Over the past week, the rulemaking process was purposefully rushed to expedite the issuance of loans and grants. That has led to some confusion which is hopefully being cleared up now that the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application and Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan application as well as guidance documents are available online. The EIDL application can be submitted directly to the SBA while the PPP application must be submitted through a lender. If your bank is not an SBA-approved lender or participating in these programs, SBA provides a directory of lenders who are. Also, many new lenders are expected to participate in these programs. Whether utilizing one or both of these programs, it’s important for operators to ensure they are not “double-dipping.” The SBA programs can both be utilized in concert with various tax credits but programs or tax credits can’t be overlapped for the same purposes.
Strikes – Instacart, Amazon and Whole Foods workers (among others) have recently organized stoppages, strikes and sick-outs as workers have demanded safer working conditions and increases in compensation (typically hazard pay and expanded sick leave). In response, Instacart announced it will provide workers health and safety kits (hand sanitizer, thermometers and reusable face masks) and Amazon has increased paid leave benefits among other measures. For weeks, many other grocers have been increasing pay and benefits for workers, as well as increasing safety protocols. More details.
Worker Safety – Amazon and Walmart will begin daily temperature checks for workers as well as providing gloves and face masks. McDonald’s also plans to allow some workers to wear gloves and masks and will conduct screenings before the start of shifts. The rather dramatic steps taken by these companies and others will set a new level of expectation for workers and the public. Restaurateurs and retailers need to be aware of evolving expectations and standards. More details.
Wages
Ohio – The campaign working to place a measure on the Nov. ballot that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $13/hr has filed a lawsuit to significantly alter the process due to COVID-19.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Virginia – Despite the recent enactment of a new minimum wage standard to $12/hr, the governor is coming under tremendous pressure from both the labor and business communities to significantly alter the law.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Labor Department – The agency released new temporary rules with regard to the implementation of the paid sick and family leave requirements mandated in the second piece of COVID-related legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Treasury Department – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also released rules regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), “COVID 2”, outlining changes to the tax code.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Iowa – The state reversed its previous policy of preventing workers from filing for unemployment benefits until all available paid leave benefits have been exhausted.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Dallas, TX – A federal judge halted the city’s enforcement of their paid leave law which was enacted last year but was not scheduled for enforcement until April 1.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Los Angeles, CA – The city council passed a supplemental paid leave ordinance in response to COVID-19 providing up to 80 hours of paid sick leave.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
Labor Department – Citing the COVID-19 crisis, a group of 18 attorneys general sent a letter to Labor Secretary Scalia asking him to delay implementation of the agency’s new joint employer rule.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
NLRB – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced it will allow representative elections to resume April 6 after freezing elections due to COVID-19.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Equal Pay Day – March 31 was “Equal Pay Day”, the date on which organizers contend is the additional amount of time it would take a woman in the U.S. to earn what a man would have earned over the previous year. While normally an event that in past years has received significant media attention, the COVID-19 crisis rendered it largely uncovered by traditional media outlets.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Scheduling
Los Angeles – As part of the supplemental paid leave law passed this week (and referenced above), the city approved an ordinance giving certain workers increased flexibility and access to full-time work during the declared local and state emergency due to the COVID-19 crisis.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Philadelphia, PA – The city’s Fair Workweek ordinance took effect April 1, although the city is postponing enforcement of one provision indefinitely as a form of COVID-19 business relief.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe