Human Resources

Telecommuting, Coronavirus and You

Usually, when companies begin moving from an office-based to a virtual model, they do it gradually, with plenty of planning and training. However, thanks to COVID-19, many businesses are seeing the need to quickly empty out offices and send everyone home to keep the virus from...

03 June, 2020

From the HR Support Center: Do we still have to provide emergency paid sick leave or expanded FMLA if we lay off or furlough employees?

Do we still have to provide emergency paid sick leave or expanded FMLA if we lay off or furlough employees? No. Employers who are closed — either due to lack of business or a state or local order — do not have to provide these leaves....

29 May, 2020

Retool, Retrench, and Rebuild: A Framework for Managing Your Workforce Through Uncertainty

Pivoting in Uncertain Times Uncertainty is uncomfortable—and inspirational. Companies across America are pivoting to meet new demand and rethink operations. They combine creativity, determination, and technology to retool, retrench and rebuild. New production lines, online shops, takeout, curbside service, home delivery, remote work, drive-by clinics and...

26 May, 2020

COVID-19 and Workers’ Compensation

Employers and workers would all like a simple set of rules that describe how the pandemic affects the workers' compensation system. However, the system is very much in flux and is subject to widely varying state rules. Is COVID-19 Subject to Workers' Comp? The answer is …...

25 May, 2020

From the HR Support Center: Can we reduce pay because of economic slowdown due to COVID-19?

You can reduce an employee's rate of pay based on business or economic slowdown, provided that this is not done retroactively. For instance, if you give employees notice that their pay will change on the 10th, and your payroll period runs from the 1st through...

22 May, 2020

How You Can Support the Mental Health of Your Employees During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. People have experienced financial hardship, additional challenges with childcare and school cancellations, job loss, reduced hours, sickness, and grief. The future is uncertain, and the present is extra stressful. And to make matters worse,...

21 May, 2020

EEOC Releases Extensive COVID-19 Guidance

In early May, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission published extensive guidance for employers and employees on how various laws and regulations apply to the pandemic. Below are some highlights, but it's a good idea to review the entire page. Can an ADA-covered employer take the body...

19 May, 2020

Are employees required to provide documentation in support of leave taken under the FFCRA?

If you intend to claim a tax credit under the FFCRA for your payment of the sick leave or expanded family and medical leave wages, you should retain appropriate documentation in your records. A written request for leave from the employee should include the following (and...

13 May, 2020

New I-9 Policy Due to COVID-19

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a temporary policy to allow employers to accept expired List B documents when completing the Form I-9 beginning May 1. This policy is intended to account for the fact that many people are unable to renew their...

12 May, 2020

We are reopening after business closure due to COVID-19. Can we bring some employees back, but not others?

Yes. If you are recalling some positions, but not others, you should document the business reasons why only those positions were recalled. If you are recalling some employees in a certain position, but not everyone in that position, you should document the objective, job-related criteria you...

08 May, 2020