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FFCRA Not Mandated in 2021, But Optional!

Posted on December 22, 2020 by and

On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which President Trump is expected to sign.  The Act does not extend the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).  The FFCRA mandated leave is still set to expire on December 31, 2020. In 2021, covered employers (less than 500 employees) can choose to continue […]

Breaking News! EEOC Issues Vaccine Guidance

Posted on December 16, 2020 by and

Today the EEOC updated its guidance surrounding COVID-19 and vaccinations in the publication titled “What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.” In its most recent update, the EEOC has added questions and answers to help employers navigate the new COVID-19 vaccine. The questions are added as a new section, Section K. Vaccinations, and include […]

New Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantine Duration

Posted on December 7, 2020 by

On December 2, the CDC updated its guidance for quarantining after exposure to COVID-19. The CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine as the safest option, however, it has provided two acceptable alternatives to shorten the quarantine period depending on local circumstances and resources. Quarantine can end after 10 days without testing if no symptoms have […]

OSHA Citing for COVID-19 Infractions in the Workplace

Posted on November 30, 2020 by

As Autumn began to descend upon us, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) demonstrated that it will indeed use the General Duty Clause (GDC) to cite employers for health and safety conditions related to COVID-19.  This is a good time to revisit employers’ obligations under the GDC and how a lack of compliance can […]

IRS Re-Affirms PPP Expenses are Not Tax Deductible

Posted on November 19, 2020 by and

Through the release of a Revenue Ruling and a Revenue Procedure, the IRS re-affirmed its stance that taxpayers may not deduct payments for otherwise deductible business expenses (i.e., payroll, rent, covered utility payments, etc.) if those payments are made using Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and the company “reasonably expects” to have their PPP loan […]

Evers Issues New COVID-19 Order for Wisconsin

Posted on November 11, 2020 by

Last night, after his primetime address, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #94 which advises residents to stay home and take precautions if they have to leave their home.  It also encourages businesses to take additional steps to protect workers, customers, and the surrounding community. While the document is entitled as an “Order” there is no […]

What Kinds of Citations has OSHA Been Issuing During the Pandemic?

Posted on November 10, 2020 by

OSHA’s enforcement activity has been accelerating as the number of COVID-19 cases has increased.  Now OSHA has issued a guidance designed to give employers an understanding of the most commonly cited violations arising from OSHA COVID-19-related inspections.  They are: Not providing a medical evaluation before a worker is fit-tested for or uses a respirator. Not […]

OSHA Issues New Guidance on Respiratory Protection in Long-Term Care Facilities

Posted on November 9, 2020 by

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a respiratory protection guidance for nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities (LTCF) during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This guidance recommends that everyone use “source control measures” at all times while in an LTCF, even if the wearer does not have symptoms of the virus.  […]

2021 Qualified Plan Cost of Living Increases, 2021 Social Security Taxable Wage Base

Posted on October 26, 2020 by

On October 26, 2020 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. Some of the limits shown below have increased from last year while others remained unchanged.   Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2020 – $19,500 2021 – $19,500 $200,000 compensation limit […]

Too Close for Comfort – CDC and DHS Clarify “Close Contact” for Quarantine Purposes

Posted on October 22, 2020 by and

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have updated the definition of “close contact” for quarantine purposes. Previous guidance provided that close contact meant spending a solid 15-minute period of time within six feet from someone infected with COVID-19. On Wednesday, October 21, 2020 the CDC […]